Jammu: In view of the increased vulnerability of students to cybercrimes, Counselling Cell, Directorate of School Education, Jammu sensitized more than 2 Lakh stakeholders of School Education Department in January, 2021 in a fortnight long campaign on Cyber hygiene and security. In the midst of the country’s unprecedented coronavirus lockdown, cybercrime in India has surged. Pertinent to mention here that cyber space has occupied very vital place in academic life of students especially during Covid pandemic time.
The campaign was formally launched from 15th of January, 2021 when faculty counsellors in the schools began online and offline (largely) group counselling sessions in their respective institutions on massive scale. The Cyber Security Campaign comprised of mass sensitization sessions on cyber security by faculty counsellors, webinars, short movie screening, social media updates regarding tips on cyber hygiene, PTMs, Publication of Advisories in both online and print media, video series by educators and learners, holding pre webinar survey, making of info graphics, posters, awareness about govt. initiatives for cyber security like cyber Dost on the same theme.
A wide range of topics like cyber grooming, cyber bullying, phishing, safeguarding social media accounts , online banking frauds, lottery frauds ,remote access scams , social media privacy policy etc. were covered during the campaign. Reliable resource material on cyber security from reliable organizations/Ministries viz: Police, Ministry of home affairs, Ministry of Education, NCERT were referred to by faculty counsellors for conducting group sensitization sessions.
Anuradha Gupta, Director School Education Jammu expressing satisfaction over the successful completion of the campaign said that cyber security has become the main focus of deliberations because of the increased dependence on virtual world for learning, heightened vulnerability to cybercrimes, which has raised alarms for taking immediate steps to remain vigilant and follow necessary precautions to get rid of the Cyber threats.She complimented the efforts of counselling cell and all the stakeholders especially HOIs, and faculty counselors to make these mass campaigns successful.
As part of the campaign a webinar was organized on cyber hygiene in collaboration with cyber-crime experts namely Mohammad Yaseen Kichloo, SSP Security, Civil Secretariat Jammu and Engineer Vikas Razdan, Cyber Warrior, Certified Intervention Officer (ISAC) who shared their vast experience and information about cyber ethics, digital footprints and IT laws. Er. Vikas Razdan has significantly contributed to this campaign by providing regular consultation and updates on cyber security.
It is to add further that on 28th of January, 2021 mega parent teacher meet (PTM) was organized in all the government institutions in which Cyber Security was one of the main themes of discussion. Many parents acknowledged the fact that Cyber space can prove dangerous, if taken for granted. Parents also shared the home experiences regarding Cyber space used by their wards and conveyed greetings for holding regular PTMs on various such important topics.
“Even outside of crisis times, cybercrimes represents a serious problem for India. In recent years, India has been among the top five countries most targeted by cyber criminals in the world, reflecting the considerable amount of work still outstanding in improving the cyber defenses of the country” said Sh. Romesh Kumar, Head Counselling Cell, at Directorate of school Education Jammu. He added that more such mass group counselling campaigns will be launched in near future to inoculate young minds against any threat/danger challenging their security and well-being
All high and higher secondary schools from both winter and summer zones participated on massive scale to make the Cyber Security Campaign a huge success.
All DNOs from DIETs, Members of Psychological Task Force (PTF), District Counselling Coordinators (DCC), Zonal Counselling Coordinators (ZCC), Heads of the institutions and faculty counsellors contributed a lot in making this fortnight campaign successful.
