Computer Security Awareness Poster & Video Contest 2009

Help build awareness of computer security problems and what to do about them.

Win cash, gain experience, and earn recognition with one short video or poster!

The EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Computer and Network Security Task Force, in cooperation with the ResearchChannel, is conducting its third annual contest in search of posters and short computer security awareness videos developed by college students, for college students. The contest is sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and CyberWATCH. Winners will receive cash prizes. The posters and videos will be featured on the Security Task Force website and may be used in campus security awareness campaigns.

Contest Sponsored by:

and:

In Cooperation with:

Entry Requirements

Posters and videos must explain computer security problems and specific actions college and university students can take to safeguard their computers or personal information. Two categories of videos are being sought: videos of two minutes or less for use in training or instruction, and 30-second public service announcements (PSAs). Posters may be submitted separately or combined with a video for a “combined entry” (poster and video to be used in a security awareness campaign).

Entry guidelines include:

• Contestants
• Contest participants must currently be enrolled in and actively attending a college or university.
• An individual student or a group of students may submit a video and/or poster.
• More than one video and/or poster submission is permissible.
• Submissions must be made online. Contestants will be asked to provide contact information and accept the Program Release and Clearance Authorization form.
• Contestants must be willing to make minor adjustments if deemed necessary and as specified based on feedback from the judges.
• Video Production
• Videos must be developed by students for a broad student audience. No professional (paid) assistance may be used in production of the video. Any entry doing so will be disqualified. Note: Faculty advisors may offer support by directing contestants to other students for assistance but cannot aid in the creative process.
• Minimal credits are allowed–limited to 10 seconds–at the end of the video. Credits should not be included on 30-second public service announcements.
• Videos should include the following "Terms of Use" statement after the credits. Leave five seconds of black between credits or end of program and the "Terms of Use" statement.

While entrants in the Security Awareness Video Contest retain ownership of their submissions, by participating in the Contest entrants also grant to the contest organizers (EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Computer and Network Security Task Force, the National Cyber Security Alliance, the ResearchChannel, and CyberWATCH) and educational institutions an irrevocable license to copy, edit, distribute, display, and make such other non-commercial uses as they wish in their discretion and in any format or medium. Without limiting the foregoing, video submissions and posters also may be re-filed or reproduced for quality reasons.

• Winning video submissions must be able to submit a word document (.doc) or text file (.txt) so that closed captions can be added.
• Submissions must meet the technical requirements specified by ResearchChannel. For questions about the production guidelines, please e-mail securityvideo@researchchannel.org.
• Poster Guidelines
• Subject matter may be about general security awareness or focus on one specific topic (see judging criteria below for list of topics).
• Content must be generic, i.e., no specific school or application or vendor names should be referenced.
• Content must be appropriate for all institution types (needs to work for research universities, community colleges, etc.).
• Should have a fairly long shelf life.
• Each poster entry must be original artwork by student(s) for a broad student audience. Professional assistance is not allowed and will disqualify any entry.
• Digital resolution of each entry must be sufficient to be printed at a maximum of 24 inches by 36 inches without print scaling (minimum 300 dpi).
• Electronic formats allowed: JPEG and PDF. The artist is responsible for conversion to digital format.
• Combined Entry Guidelines
• Contest participants must submit a video and a poster to be used together in a security awareness campaign.
• Both the Video Entry Guidelines and Poster Entry Guidelines must be followed.
• This combined entry category has an additional Judging Criteria: "Combined Effectiveness of Delivery".
• Content
• May be about general security awareness or focus on one specific topic (see ideas for topics below).
• Must be generic (do not reference any specific college or university, applications, or vendors).
• Must be in good taste and appropriate for multicultural college and university populations.
• Must be appropriate for all institution types (needs to work for research universities, community colleges, and so forth).
• Must address topics that will retain relevance for one to two years (avoid narrow technology-specific topics such as a specific threat, virus, and so forth).
• Must be original and not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right.

PLEASE NOTE: Video contest entries for public service announcements must be 30 seconds. The maximum video length for all other videos is two minutes.

Suggested Topics

Ideas for topics include, but are not limited, to:

• Botnets
• Computer maintenance
• Cybersafety tips: how to protect yourself online, including on social networking sites
• Encrypting files/e-mails
• Global cybercrime: includes identity theft, extortion, denial of service, and web defacement
• Guidelines or suggestions for effective passwords
• Physical security
• Safeguarding data: confidentiality, privacy, and identity theft
• Security of wireless/mobile devices
• Security risks of P2P filesharing applications
• Security updates, antivirus software, and firewalls
• Spyware and phishing

Judging Criteria

Winning entries will be selected based on:

• Creativity
• Was there unexpected but effective use of design elements?
• Did the message provide a new perspective?
• Technical quality for videos
• Lighting
• Sound
• Editing
• Content
• Did the poster and/or video cover the appropriate topic(s)?
• Was the information conveyed of high quality?
• Would this poster and/or video have a practical use for awareness education?
• Overall effectiveness of delivery
• Was there one key message, clearly stated?
• How persuasive was the message?
• For videos: Is the viewer compelled to keep watching?

PLEASE NOTE: The Security Task Force reserves the right to reject any posters or videos that contain content that do not meet the entry requirements or judging criteria or are deemed inappropriate for the purposes of this contest.

Prizes

Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners in each of the four categories (posters, training videos, 30-second public service announcements, and combined poster and video entry).

• The gold winners will receive $1,000.
• The silver winners will receive $800.
• The bronze winners will receive $400.

PLEASE NOTE: Winners will be required to complete tax identification forms and are advised that the cash award will be reported as earnings to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

How to Submit Your Video

To enter the contest, you will need to complete and submit the online entry submission form. (Please note: The online submission form will be available on the ResearchChannel's website starting in January 2009.)

Remember to clearly label your submission with your name and the title of the video. You must also submit a signed copy of the Program Release and Clearance Authorization form to be considered.

Finally, please make sure that your video entry conforms to ResearchChannel's Technical Specifications for Broadcast. For questions about the production guidelines, please e-mail securityvideo@researchchannel.org.

How to Submit Your Poster

Artists must convert their artwork to an electronic format (.jpg or .pdf). The digital resolution of each entry must be sufficient to be printed at a maximum of 24 inches by 36 inches without print scaling (minimum of 300 dpi). Maximum file size for submission is 10MB. Artists must complete the Program Release and Clearance Authorization form and submit their electronic file at the ResearchChannel submission site after January 1, 2009.

Help Us Promote This Contest

Please help us promote this contest on your campus by using the materials provided in our promotional packet.

Contact Us

For additional information, please contact Security Task Force staff at 202-872-4200 or send e-mail to security-video@educause.edu.