On Safer Internet Day, BSI advises on remote schooling cybersecurity

February 9, 2021

This year’s Safer Internet Day takes place on February 9 and once again has the theme of “Together for a better internet” and the aim of making the web a better and safer place for everyone. With many children continuing to learn remotely due to the pandemic, the reliance on technology is expanding alongside the cybersecurity risks. This year, BSI, the business improvement company, is encouraging parents, guardians, and schools alike to review cybersecurity best practice and strengthen their information resilience.

With schools adapting to the advantages of technology to maintain learning, implementing virtual learning platforms, and device requirements, participants may be struggling to review sufficient security levels. This year for Safer Internet Day, the Consulting Services team at BSI has highlighted the following cybersecurity considerations that can support safer remote learning and internet use for children:

• Manage access to online collaboration and education platforms: Review the security settings and ensure that there are two factor authentications (where possible). Make sure that passwords are not shared and only enable access permissions that are required. For example, permitting access to share location, browser history, or more specific personal details other than name, email address, and class details to access the platforms should not be required.

• Ensure that device security settings are optimized: The latest security software needs to be installed regularly on devices to strengthen its protection online; select auto-update to ensure it is never missed. This applies to any computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices used for school learning. Consider implementing a child mode setting also, depending on age of the user and activity or access to platforms required to be used.

• Review set up for virtual classroom calls: Manage privacy of the household and user by making sure the setting default is off for camera and microphone and switched on only when required. Consider using a blurred or virtual background to protect home privacy.

• Setting up a call: Review access to calls, ensuring that lobby or waiting rooms are set up for video call sessions so that all guests can be monitored, and the room host can grant access to prevent uninvited or inappropriate attendees. If there is a need to record a session, permission is required from all attendees and knowledge of where it may be used.

• Advise children to check before sharing any personal details: This includes any requests for personal data across any required platforms or applications to be used as part of remote learning such as birth dates, email addresses, and physical location.

• Review online school schedule and check-in regularly: Be aware of the daily class schedule and check-in on breaks as appropriate. If unsure, check that any calls that children are joining are valid school calls by viewing the recipient invitation and confirming the attendee list before allowing them to proceed.

• Be proactive with reporting any online inappropriate behavior or content: Review and discuss the seriousness of any incident before proceeding with appropriate actions. If there has been a violation of rules (for example, relating to social media platforms) raise it with the platform in question.

Mark Brown, Managing Director, Cyber Security and Information Resilience, Consulting Services at BSI said: “Safer Internet Day provides us with an opportunity to review what we are currently doing and how we can do it better. Advances in technology have meant that remote schooling can happen and now is an opportune time to educate the next generation on how to look after their security online. By reviewing the steps, we have highlighted, parents and guardians can increase the security of devices and software use for their children while educating them on best practice.” 

“The online community is vast and differs greatly from the controlled environment that brick and mortar schools provide, so having a nurturing and open environment in your home, where online risks can be discussed, security reviews implemented and advice shared, is key to growing awareness of online safety now and for the future,” concludes Mark.

The Consulting Services team at BSI provides an expansive range of solutions to help organizations address challenges in cybersecurity, information management and privacy, security awareness and compliance. For more information visit bsigroup.com/cyber-us

ENDS