The (ISC)² has joined the US Department of Homeland Security’s national network of organizations that collaborate to spread cybersecurity awareness across the country.
Known as the “Stop. Think. Connect. Campaign,” more than 150 non-profit organizations have joined the effort to advocate and promote cybersecurity within their organizations and to their stakeholders, as part of a campaign primarily focused on youth outreach. Other members include the 4H Clubs of America, Advanced Cyber Security Center (ACSC), Boys & Girls Club of America, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) America, the Family Online Safety Institute, Fraud.org and Girl Scouts of the USA.
Since 2011, their efforts have resulted in the training of more than 1,500 D.A.R.E. officers on cybersecurity awareness, providing them with resources to give presentations in schools and communities—as well as encouraging the D.A.R.E. Youth Advisory Board to be peer mentors and speak about online safety.
The group has also conducted focus groups at several BGCA conferences to discuss cybersecurity, cyber safety, and cyber responsibility with kids and teens, and has hosted YWCA cybersecurity awareness forums and events across the country, most notably as part of the Stop. Think. Connect. Miami and Minnesota Cyber Tours.
Becoming a member of the consortium helps the (ISC)² Foundation to fulfill its mandate to improve the cybersecurity profile of the community at large, it said.
“The holiday season is a key time for non-profits to join forces and reinforce the message of community,” said Elise Yacobellis, director of global development of the (ISC)², in a statement. “The (ISC)2 Foundation’s partnership with DHS’ Stop. Think. Connect. National Network demonstrates our commitment to proactively educating the public about how to stay safe online and to collaborate with organizations that hold to a similar commitment.”
The Foundation’s membership in the DHS’ National Network is one of several end-of year efforts to empower students, teachers and the general public to secure their online life. The Foundation is also participating in the AmazonSmile campaign, the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and #GivingTuesday.