MySecureCyberspace®

The Outreach of the Information Networking Institute and its research partner, Carnegie Mellon CyLab, at Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University's outreach initiative works to teach the knowledge and best practices of "cyberawareness"—awareness of safe, secure, responsible use of computers and the Internet—to users of all ages. CMU has developed a suite of supportive resources.

MySecureCyberspace Web Portal, www.mysecurecyberspace.com

For the general public: MySecureCyberspace, www.mysecurecyberspace.com, provides customized information to adult users about cybersecurity threats, in addition to tactical countermeasures and legal, ethical, and privacy issues related to each cybersecurity threat. The MySecureCyberspace website offers several ways for consumers to find information and tools to help them use the Internet safely, securely and responsibly.

Carnegie Cadets: The MySecureCyberspace Game

For grades 3-6: Designed for upper elementary school students, this game engages children with four missions that teach Internet safety and computer security concepts. The game currently has four missions on the topics of how to handle spam, how to protect personal information online, how to avoid inappropriate content online, and how to deal with cyberbullying. The game is offered as a free download from www.carnegiecyberacademy.com, where users can also find support materials for the classroom. Visit the Carnegie Cyber Academy to get started with the game.

The Carnegie Cyber Academy, www.carnegiecyberacademy.com

For grades 3-8: A companion website of The MySecureCyberspace Game, the Carnegie Cyber Academy reaches out to children through a game and website that reinforce principles of safe and responsible computing. Children can continue following a storyline and the characters that they meet in The MySecureCyberspace Game by following the blogs and playing the mini-games on the website. Educators can access lesson plans for integrating the game in the classroom and other support materials.

BeSeen: A Free Mobile App about Social Networking, www.playbeseen.com

For grades 6 and up:  BeSeen simulates a social networking website. Once you create a profile, you can start earning friends, playing puzzles and winning awards. Gain friends by choosing statuses to post and helping out others. Will you make the best choice? Find out and see. Give good advice to win more awards! The game is provided by Carnegie Mellon University and Web Wise Kids to show you how to secure your personal information, protect your online reputation and defend your peers. Download now from the App Store. (Coming later this year for Android.)

Osher Lifelong Learning Course: Safe in Cyberspace Course, www.cmu.edu/osher/

For older adults: Through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, MySecureCyberspace offers a course titled Safe in Cyberspace for mature students. The six-part course involves discussions on the opportunities presented by the Internet that are both exciting and overwhelming. Students discuss dangers such as viruses and identity theft and explore Internet tools and security features. Through lectures, guest speakers and interactive homework assignments, this course will explore home computer security, safe web browsing, secure shopping and financial transactions and methods of online communication.

Community Cyberawareness Program

For school communities: In 2010, the INI and CyLab received a grant from the Verizon Foundation to conduct local community workshops based on the information provided in the MySecureCyberspace web resources. Through this grant, the project team delivers targeted workshops in person in the Pittsburgh community to local schools, where students, parents, teachers and school administrators are provided with the knowledge and tools they need to practice safe, secure and responsible computing.

Higher Education, www.ini.cmu.edu

For graduate students: The INI was established in 1989 as the nation's first research and education center devoted to information networking. As a department of the College of Engineering, the INI offers master’s degree programs in information networking, information security, mobility and software management. Graduate students in information security at the INI have the option to pursue the Scholarship for Service program, which awards a full scholarship in exchange for a commitment to work for the government. Carnegie Mellon has graduated over 100 scholars of this program who have moved on to work for the federal government—more than any other university.

For faculty: Carnegie Mellon has earned an international reputation for unmatched expertise and capability in information assurance education and research. Designation of Carnegie Mellon by the National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Information Assurance education and CAE in Research and the university’s subsequent participation under NSF grants in both the Scholarship for Service program and in Information Assurance Capacity Building Program (IACBP) for minority-serving institutions have been important contributing factors in focusing the university’s information assurance efforts in both the education and research arenas. The Information Assurance Capacity Building Program (IACBP) is an intensive, in-residence summer program to help build Information Assurance education and research capacity at colleges and universities designated as Minority Serving Institutions - including, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).

Recognition

The MySecureCyberspace initiative has reached over one million people since its launch, and The MySecureCyberspace Game serves hundreds of registered users in homes and schools around the globe. Recognition for these projects include finalist status for the 2009 Japan Prize, the Silver Award of Distinction in the 2009 Communicator Awards in two interactive categories, and the 2006-2007 Award of Merit for online communication award from the Society for Technical Communication, Pittsburgh Chapter.

Headlines

App promotes savvy web use among kids, October 12, 2011, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

New technology offers new ways to protect kids online, August 31, 2011, WTAE

Cyber smart kids, November 2010, Discoveries & Breakthroughs Inside Science

CyLab receives $20,000, February 8, 2010, The Tartan

Improving cyberawareness, February 4, 2010, Government Information Security Podcasts

Carnegie Mellon throws Internet safety net over region schools, January 28, 2010, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Cyber Academy a finalist for prestigious Japan Award, October 15, 2009, Carnegie Mellon press release

CMU develops web-based kids' game, October 6, 2007, article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review

MySecureCyberspace web portal wins award, May 22, 2007, INI announcement

Interview with Dena Haritos Tsamitis (mp3), Carnegie Cadets teach children to safely navigate the Internet, Feburary 20, 2007, radio interview on WORD FM

See more media coverage of cybersecurity initiatives in our media section.

Social Media

MySecureCyberspace: Join the initiative on Facebook, on Twitter, on YouTube and Flickr!

Carnegie Cadets: Follow online safety news and educational technology tips on Facebook and Twitter!

Printable Materials

The MySecureCyberspace Portal Information Sheet

The MySecureCyberspace Game Information Sheet For Parents | For Kids

 

MySecureCyberspace is a registered trademark of Carnegie Mellon University.