In today’s interconnected world, young people are among the most active users of digital technology, which makes them prime targets for ever-evolving cyber threats. As young people increasingly rely on digital platforms for socialising, learning, and entertainment, understanding cyber security becomes crucial for safeguarding their personal information and privacy.

Prioritising cyber security at Toorak College

Our newest corporate partnership with Tesserent Academy has been pivotal in the development of a comprehensive, rigorous, and compulsory course for Year 10 students covering cyber security awareness training, risk management, threat landscape, and threat intelligence. By educating our students about cyber security, we equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect themselves from online dangers such as phishing scams, identity theft, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content. By learning about concepts like password security, privacy settings, and safe online behaviour, young people can reduce their vulnerability to online exploitation and manipulation.

Our Year 10 program has also been essential in highlighting the opportunities for women seeking a career in cyber security, technology and related fields, as the demand for cyber security professionals continues to grow. The pathways for students across the cyber security landscape are interesting and diverse, from threat experts who focus on combating corporate espionage to Security Operation Centre managers who need to possess advanced communication and collaboration skills.

The rapid and continuous advancements in the areas of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and programming make it challenging for any one company or individual to stay abreast of the possibilities in these areas. Cyber security will continue to evolve to match the threats that come with these advancements. It is therefore essential that educational providers, such as schools, partner with experts to ensure knowledge is shared. At Toorak, we’re confident that the curriculum we’re delivering to our students will prepare them for the decisions they need to make and for the essential careers of tomorrow.

Educate

Teach your children about online safety, including the importance of privacy, avoiding suspicious links, and reporting any concerning online interactions.

Secure devices and online content

Keep all devices updated with the latest software patches and security updates to protect against known vulnerabilities. Utilise the available content privacy options within social media platforms to restrict publicly available information online.

Use strong passwords

Encourage the use of complex, unique passwords for each online account, and consider using a password manager such as 1Password for convenience and security.

Enable parental controls

Activate parental controls on devices and internet services to limit access to inappropriate content.

Monitor activity

Regularly review your family’s online activity, set guidelines for acceptable online behaviour, and establish open communication about any concerns or issues encountered online. Ensure your child knows they can always ask about online activity they are unsure of. Education and understanding is necessary for growing up in the digital age and staying safe online.

Be wary about accessing public wifi portals

While these networks offer connectivity on the go, they also pose security risks. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in public wifi systems to intercept data or deploy malware on connected devices.

Internet safety and understanding your digital footprint

Cyber security is easier to maintain when you understand the broader spectrum of a digital footprint. A digital footprint is essentially any steps, processes, or sites that a user accesses while connected to the internet. It is a trail of data that is recorded and stored digitally.

Anything a user posts, sends, is tagged in, or mentioned in will be a part of their digital footprint at different levels of accessibility. This is where e-safety education and understanding online risks are integral for current students, so they are capable of recognising and managing their own online activity and being proactive in maintaining a positive online reputation.

For more information on digital footprints and sharing personal information online, visit the eSafety Commissioner website here.

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