Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declared October to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, helping individuals protect themselves online as threats to technology and confidential data become more commonplace. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) lead a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise cybersecurity awareness nationally and internationally.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Theme
See Yourself in Cyber

This year’s campaign theme — “See Yourself in Cyber” — demonstrates that while cybersecurity may seem like a complex subject, ultimately, it’s really all about people . This October will focus on the “people” part of cybersecurity, providing information and resources to help educate CISA partners and the public, and ensure all individuals and organizations make smart decisions whether on the job, at home or at school – now and in the future. We encourage each of you to engage in this year’s efforts by creating your own cyber awareness campaigns and sharing this messaging with your peers.

For individuals and families, we encourage you to See Yourself taking action to stay safe online. That means enabling basic cyber hygiene practices: update your software, think before you click, have good strong passwords or a password keeper, and enable multi-factor authentication (meaning you need "More Than A Password!") on all your sensitive accounts.

Cybersecurity Basics

Now is a great time to put your cybersecurity knowledge to the test.  See what you know with Cybersecurity 101 reviewing cyber basics, potential threats, and how criminals lure you in.

  • Think Before You Click: Recognize and Report Phishing: If a link looks a little off, think before you click. It could be an attempt to get sensitive information or install malware.
  • Update Your Software: Don't delay -- If you see a software update notification, act promptly. Better yet, turn on automatic updates.
  • Use Strong Passwords: Use passwords that are long, unique, and randomly generated. Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. A passwords manager will encrypt passwords securing them for you!
  • Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: You need more than a password to protect your online accounts, and enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked.

D219 Superintendent Search – Community Input

D219 Superintendent Search — Community Focus Groups and Forums

Our expectation is to ensure that stakeholders throughout the District 219 communities have an opportunity to share their views with us. In addition to the online Community Survey, HYA will facilitate two community forums for members of the communities. 

D219 Parents/Guardians-at-large FORUM  

November 16, 2021 – 7:00PM
https://d219.zoom.us/j/84883632677

November 17, 2021 – 6:00 pm
https://d219.zoom.us/j/84928856135

Community w/out School-Age Children FORUM

November 16, 2021 – 8:00PM
https://d219.zoom.us/j/81785530245

HYA will also host focus group conversations with teachers, staff, students, administrators, parent leaders, as well as civic leaders and leaders from the District’s feeder schools. Those small groups will receive individual invitations.  Feedback from these forums and focus groups, in combination with the data from our online survey, will be used to create a customized Superintendent Leadership Profile representing the priorities of our communities and the next Superintendent.

Cybersecurity First CyberMonth banner

Cybersecurity First – 2021 Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Week 4

Cybersecurity FirstWhy Is Cybersecurity Important Tip Sheet

Cybersecurity is the art of protecting networks, devices, and data from unlawful access or criminal use and the practice of guaranteeing confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. Communication, transportation, shopping, and medicine are just some of the things that rely on computers systems and the Internet now. Much of your personal information is stored either on your computer, smartphone, tablet or possibly on someone else’s system. Knowing how to protect the information that you have stored is of high importance not just for an individual but for an organization and those in it.

 

Cybersecurity Starts With You Tip Sheet

Every time you use the Internet, you face choices related to your security. Friends can be selected, links clicked, websites accessed, and wireless networks can be joined. Your security and the security of the nation depends on making secure online decisions. Making the Internet more safe and secure requires all of us to take responsibility for our own cybersecurity posture.

2021 Cybersecurity Month Archive

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Explore Experience Share

Explore. Experience. Share. – 2021 Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Week 3

ExploreCyber Career Profile

Career awareness is an important piece in solving the cyber workforce shortage. To help meet the need, CYBER.ORG offers free cybersecurity career awareness resources to K-12 students and educators. Explore careers from pen testing to cybersecurity forensics and learn what common job duties are, expected salary, job growth, and what degrees and certifications will help you get there.

 

Social Media Cybersecurity Tip Sheet

Now more than ever, consumers spend increasing amounts of time on the Internet. With every social media account you sign up for, every picture you post, and status you update, you are sharing information about yourself with the world. How can you be proactive and “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart”? Take these simple steps to connect with confidence and safely navigate the social media world.

2021 Cybersecurity Month Archive

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Phight the Phish #BeCyberSmart

Phight the Phish! – 2021 Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Week 2

Identity Theft and Internet Scams Tip SheetPhight the Phish be cyber smart

Today’s technology allows us to connect around the world, to bank and shop online, and to control our televisions, homes, and cars from our smartphones. With this added convenience comes an increased risk of identity theft and Internet scams. #BeCyberSmart on the Internet—at home, at school, at work, on mobile devices, and on the go.

 

Phishing Tip Sheet

Phishing attacks use email or malicious websites to infect your machine with malware and viruses to collect personal and financial information. Cybercriminals attempt to lure users to click on a link or open an attachment that infects their computers, creating vulnerabilities for criminals to use to attack. Phishing emails may appear to come from a real financial institution, e-commerce site, government agency, or any other service, business, or individual. The email may also request personal information such as account numbers, passwords, or Social Security numbers. When users respond with the information or click on a link, attackers use it to access users’ accounts.

2021 Cybersecurity Month Archive

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Do Your Part #BeCyberSmart

Be Cyber Smart – 2021 Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Week 1

do your partCyber Secure at Work Tip Sheet

Businesses face significant financial loss when a cyber-attack occurs. In 2020, a sharp increase was reported in cyberattacks that target businesses using stolen logins and passwords. Cybercriminals often rely on human error—employees failing to install software patches or clicking on malicious links—to gain access to systems. From the top leadership to the newest employee, cybersecurity requires the vigilance of everyone to keep data, customers, and capital safe and secure. #BeCyberSmart to connect with confidence and support a culture of cybersecurity at your organization.

 

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Tip Sheet

Have you noticed how often security breaches, stolen data, and identity theft are consistently front-page news these days? Perhaps you, or someone you know, are a victim of cyber criminals who stole personal information, banking credentials, or more. As these incidents become more prevalent, you should consider using multi-factor authentication, also called strong authentication, or two-factor authentication. This technology may already be familiar to you, as many banking and financial institutions require both a password and one of the following to log in: a call, email, or text containing a code. By applying these principles of verification to more of your personal accounts, such as email, social media, and more, you can better secure your information and identity online!

 

Creating Passwords Tip Sheet

Businesses face significant financial loss when a cyber-attack occurs. In 2020, a sharp increase was reported in cyberattacks that target businesses using stolen logins and passwords. Cybercriminals often rely on human error—employees failing to install software patches or clicking on malicious links—to gain access to systems. From the top leadership to the newest employee, cybersecurity requires the vigilance of everyone to keep data, customers, and capital safe and secure. #BeCyberSmart to connect with confidence and support a culture of cybersecurity at your organization.

2021 Cybersecurity Month Archive

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Congratulations Niles West Class of 2021

Niles West High School held its 60th annual Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 23, 2021.
Program:
Procession: Niles West Graduating Class of 2021
Welcome & Pledge of Allegiance:  Steve Parnther, Asst. Principal for Operations
National Anthem:  Janay Moncrief, Senior, Honor Choir
Introduction of Platform Guests:  Ethan Suh, President, Student Government
Speech:  Walli Baig, Senior Class President
Principal's Address:  Dr. Karen Ritter, Principal
Choral Selection:  Master Singers, directed by Matthew Begale, Choral Director
Class of 2021 Speakers:  Henry Gussis, Janay Moncrief
Class of 2021 Presentation to the Board of Education:  Dr. Steven Isoye, Superintendent
Class of 2021 Acceptance:  James Specker, President, Board of Education
Awarding of Diplomas:  Board of Education:   Naema Abraham, Rebecca Abraham, Elana Jacobs, Dr. David Ko, Jill Manrique, Joseph Nowik, James Specker
Faculty Readers:  Niles West Faculty
Recessional