College Student Video Contest Seeks to Improve Computer Security Awareness

As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month this October, the EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Computer and Network Security Task Force and ResearchChannel are launching the Second Annual Computer Security Awareness Video Contest. Sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance, the contest features cash prizes and gives students the opportunity to develop creative and effective short videos or public service announcements that will be part of a national campaign to increase computer and network security at colleges and universities.

Earlier this year, the EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Security Task Force announced the results of the first contest that includes 6 award-winning videos and 18 honorable mentions available free of charge. “We were very pleased with the results from the last contest and are excited to expand our efforts and broaden the opportunity to more college students this time around,” said Pat Falcon, IT security policy and communication coordinator at Brown University and cochair of a group spearheading the contest on behalf of the Security Task Force.

According to Falcon, “The contest provides a way for students to address and tackle computing security issues in a creative, visual, and concise way. Translating security threats, such as viruses or the risk of an unpatched computer, into a compelling 30-second PSA [public service announcement] or short film can be an effective learning experience for the student filmmaker and for the viewers as well.”

The short videos or PSAs must explain computer security problems and specific actions college and university students can take to safeguard their computers or personal information. More information about the contest including video production guidelines and judging criteria is available at the Security Task Force Web site.

The Security Task Force has teamed with ResearchChannel to organize the second annual contest. ”ResearchChannel is excited to be part of this year’s video contest. Computer and network security is critical in the world of business, and we are pleased to partner with EDUCAUSE to raise awareness about this issue,” said Amy Philipson, executive director at ResearchChannel.

This will be the third year that the Security Task Force and institutions of higher education have observed October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month. As part of this initiative, the Task Force has compiled a Resource Kit for National Cyber Security Awareness Month, which includes a Sample Kit of creative materials developed by Indiana University. The Task Force has also developed a Cybersecurity Awareness Resource Library, which includes an executive awareness video and sample material submitted by dozens of colleges and universities.

About EDUCAUSE

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. The current membership comprises more than 2,200 colleges, universities, and educational organizations, including 250 corporations, with 17,000 active members. Learn more about EDUCAUSE at www.educause.edu.

About Internet2

Led by more than 200 U.S. universities working with industry and government, Internet2 develops and deploys advanced network applications and technologies for research and higher education, accelerating the creation of tomorrow's Internet. Internet2 recreates the partnerships among academia, industry, and government that helped foster today’s Internet in its infancy. For more information, visit www.internet2.edu.

About ResearchChannel

ResearchChannel is a nonprofit media and technology organization that connects a global audience with the research and academic institutions whose developments, insights, and discoveries affect our lives and futures. ResearchChannel was founded in 1996 by leading research and academic institutions so they could share the work of their researchers with the public while collectively participating in advanced distribution and interactive technology experiments. Programs are shared in their original form, unmediated and without interruption. Today, more than 50 institutions participate as members and affiliates, and that number continues to grow. Through cable and satellite distribution, ResearchChannel is available to more than 22 million U.S. households. The ResearchChannel Web site, with users in over 70 countries worldwide, provides programs on demand and through a live Webstream. The online video library houses more than 3,000 full-length programs.