The Internet has revolutionised modern life. From the way we socialise, shop, work, learn and even the way we understand human behaviour with the emerging realm of big data analysis, as well as much more!
It has introduced so many great things to empower our day to day living.
However you do still have to be careful with how you interact with this publicly connected online world. I think Voltaire’s now cliché statement “with great power comes great responsibility” sums it up well.
Safer Internet Day is all about promoting that responsibility and safe use of online technology and smart phones.
The theme for Safer Internet Day 2014 is ‘Let’s create a better internet together’… Whether children
and young people, parents and carers, educators or social care workers, or indeed industry, decision
makers or politicians, everyone has a role to play.
As a company whose core business is in the cyber security industry, NEXOR believes raising awareness about online safety is very important. That is partly why we discuss industry issues on this blog and provide our free app NEXOR Quaestor for companies to self-assess their compliance to cyber security.
Cyber Champions
Another part of what we do in raising awareness about online safety is support the not for profit organisation YPN Global and their scheme Cyber Champions.
Cyber Champions is about promoting online safety into schools for children, young adults and parents. It utilises the experience and expertise of young professionals to be able to relate to students and highlight key issues, best practice, hints and tips as well as reinforcing the point that there is always someone to talk to about difficulties online.
Why does NEXOR support Cyber Champions?
Who better to ask than our Chairman Steve Kingan:
Whilst it is critical to educate kids to make sure they are safe online, it is also important for graduates to work in the community and develop themselves; becoming Cyber Champions gives them this opportunity.
This is one of the many ways in which we as young professionals are enabled to gain new skills and develop our professional profile. NEXOR is committed to the development of its employees and providing access to these opportunities is a key part of our Investors In People Gold status.
Why do NEXOR’s young professionals continue that support?
I asked NEXOR’s longest serving Cyber Champion Colin Powers and our newest recruit Jack Akehurst for their views:
Colin ” – I got NEXOR involved in the scheme as soon as I heard about it back in 2011. The internet is a wonderful thing, but it also never forgets, and one bad judgement call about what you say or what your privacy settings are can have catastrophic consequences. We are at a key point in history where, for the first time, children are growing up with social networks and smartphones – and all the advantages and risks that come with them. It is absolutely vital to ensure they know how to enjoy these great technologies safely, and that parents are aware of the risks as well. That’s why Cyber Champions is so important. I believe this today as passionately as I did three years ago. ”
Jack “Cyber Champions gives me the opportunity to get involved with getting the message across to young people about how to prevent the internet from causing them problems by making them aware of online safety.
It is an extremely fulfilling and enjoyable opportunity, especially when you’re delivering a presentation and the kids are listening, getting involved and chatting about it with their friends afterwards.”
In short, it gives us a great chance to give something back and promote a subject we are all passionate about that we hope can make a real difference to the lives of young people.
Whilst at the same time it provides a fantastic forum to network with like-minded young professionals and organisations that otherwise we wouldn’t have the chance to meet.
We are very thankful to the Cyber Champions team for providing us with the opportunity and to NEXOR who have been very supportive of us volunteering. I hope that gives you an insight into Safer Internet Day, Cyber Champions and why we believe it is a great thing to be involved in.
Once Upon a Camayoc 