Technology & Innovation - Issue 11

essential that cybersecurity measures be integrated into schools’ broader safeguarding policies. Cybersecurity and the curriculum One of the best ways of ensuring pupils understand the importance of cybersecurity is to weave it into everyday lessons. Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be taught in isolation; it can be introduced within existing subjects. Whether it’s in science, maths or social studies, exploring the real-world applications of cybersecurity canmake the concept muchmore relevant and engaging. Teachers could, for example, begin a class discussion by asking pupils to list the apps and websites they use regularly. By writing these down on the board, teachers can highlight the sheer number of different services and platforms that have access to students’ personal information. This can open up a conversation around the importance of using secure passwords and engaging in safe online practices. Talking about cybersecurity in this way can help to ensure that children understand the importance of keeping themselves secure online. Howtomake cybersecurity fun The topic of cybersecurity can feel somewhat daunting at first, but by breaking it down into manageable activities and discrete discussions, it can be made more accessible – and perhaps even fun. Role-playing various online attack scenarios can give pupils some illuminating insights into the important process of identifying potential threats and responding appropriately to suspicious emails or requests. Another valuable activity can be to engage children in discussions around the safe online practices they currently observe in their own time – such as being mindful of the information they share with others, avoiding suspicious links and limiting the overall amount of time they spend online. These discussions can be made more engaging still through the shrewd use of games. CyberGamesUK, for instance, develops a range of cybersecurity-themed games, one of which is based around the process of identifying and detecting of phishing emails (see cybergamesuk.com ). Teachers can begin by explaining what phishing is, before directing pupils to enter the browser-based CyberCity game and begin the ‘Flower Shop’ activity. Teachers can thenmonitor their pupils’ progress through the game, stepping in when they might have questions. Such games provide a way for pupils to develop real-world cybersecurity skills via interactive means, thus making for an enjoyable learning process. Cybersecurity champions The technical aspects of your school’s cybersecurity may ultimately fall within the auspices of your school’s IT department, but maintaining the effectiveness of those cybersecurity measures is very much a team effort. It shouldn’t be forgotten that teachers play a vital role in reinforcing good cybersecurity practice within the classroom. By building an awareness of the basics of cybersecurity, and then in turn passing this knowledge on to their pupils, teachers will not only be protecting themselves, but also empowering their pupils to navigate the digital world more safely. Cybersecurity has long ceased being ‘just’ an IT issue. It’s an educational one, too – so let’s make sure we’re all doing our part. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Megan Morris is Head of Brand – Cashless Payments & Parental Engagement at ParentPay; with 4+ years in edtech, Megan has valuable insights into the challenges schools face with parental engagement and cashless payments, whilst understanding effective solutions to support modern educators. Find out more at parentpay.com or follow @parentpay CLASSROOM CYBERSECURITY –WHERE TO START While the lack of formal cyber security training in schools certainly needs to be addressed, there are also some simple steps teachers can take right now to protect themselves and their pupils from cyber attacks. Use strong passwords Remind pupils to always use complex passwords that include upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Thereafter, they should be regularly updated – ideally, at least twice within the same academic year. Keep software updated Ensure that the devices you and your pupils use run on up-to-date operating systems with all the latest security patches and updates installed. Guard personal information Educate pupils about the dangers of sharing any personally identifiable information online. Teach them to avoid using mentions of real names or birthdates in their online usernames, and to think carefully before volunteering their personal details to an online service. Pause before clicking: Teach pupils to proceed with caution during online interactions. Clicking on dubious links, QR codes or pop-up ads can easily invite malware into your system. Establish ‘Pause and Think’ as a regular classroom practice to remind pupils of this habit’s importance. 47 S C H O O L S O L U T I O N S teachwire.net