The Michigan Cyber Awareness Breakfast Conference Series 2012 will serve as a follow up to the Michigan Cyber Summit 2011 hosted last fall by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. This series will provide updates to the Michigan Cyber Initiative designed for Michigan citizens, business and industry. Presentations will focus on a comprehensive, forward-looking blue print to enhance safety and allow for Michigan to reap the economic benefits of the growing cyber security industry.

• May 1, 2012 – Amway Grand Hotel, Grand Rapids, MI
• June 5, 2012 - The Henry, Dearborn, MI
• August 1, 2012 – The Ramada Inn, Marquette, MI
• November 8, 2012 – Grand Traverse Resort, Acme, MI

To register, sponsor the event, or for more information, click here.

East Greenbush, N.Y. (PRWEB) April 09, 2012

As the deadline for tax filing draws near, the Center for Internet Security (CIS), a national not-for-profit focused on enhancing the security readiness and response of public and private sector entities, issued tips for protecting against cyber scammers and reminds users to remain vigilant to safeguard their information.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) cites identity theft as the top concern in its Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2012. Criminals are obtaining individuals’ names and personal information to file fraudulent claims in attempts to receive refunds. The IRS reported that it protected more than $1.4 billion of taxpayer funds from identity theft last year.

Read the article here

Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative Accepting Registrations for 2012-2013 School Year!
BONUS - limited space available for remainder of 2011-2012 school year

Since its statewide launch in September 2007, the Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative has educated nearly 1 Million kindergarten through eighth grade students and another 25,000+ adults through its Community Seminar.  This FREE award winning program offers age-appropriate assemblies conducted by experts working with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.

The presentations are engaging and the presenters effectively relate to the children.  The multi-media assemblies communicate the important message of Internet safety, including teaching responsible online behavior and why children should avoid cyberbullying and sharing inappropriate material on their cell phones.  No other state in the nation offers an Internet safety program of this caliber – and it’s FREE!

Scheduling is EASY.  Just visit http://www.michigan.gov/csi for more information or to register. Click on the "Registration Form" button near the bottom of the page and you will receive an e-mail acknowledgement of your registration within two business days.

Cyber Security Emerging Trends and Threats:  Risk in a Cyber World

Wednesday, April 18, 2012
2:00pm -- 3:00pm (Eastern)

Thank you to Dave Simancek, Assistant Principal of Swartz Creek High School, for his moving presentation at the WC4 Cyber Safety Roundtable on March 16, 2012. Dave was kind enough to share a couple of incredible videos created by his students as well as his slide presentation.

Dave's presentation can be downloaded here.

At the WC4 Cyber Safety Roundtable on March 16, 2012, Superintendent Scott Graden and Heather Kellstrom, Director of Instructional Technology, introduced exciting ways to use technology in the classroom. They put together a prezi to show the technological progression of their school district.

View their prezi here.

Thank you to all who attended the WC4 Cyber Safety Roundtable on March 16, 2012. To download a pdf of Kristin Judge's presentation "Building Partnerships and Finding Solutions in Cyber Security" please click here.

Here is a great article that speaks about data theft from Social Networks (LinkedIn, Google +,Twitter, Smartphones & Facebook) for the first time. It's a great read for anyone who is concerned about privacy online.

Click here.

Courtest of StaySafeOnline.org, here are some helpful tips to stay secure on your cell phones.

• Only give your mobile number out to people you know and trust. Do not use your mobile phone to communicate with strangers. Only text and call people or businesses you know in real life.

• Never reply to text messages from people you don’t know.

• Make sure you know how to block others from calling your phone. Using caller id you can block all incoming calls or block individual names and numbers.

• Make a record of your Electronic Serial Number (ESN) and/or your International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. You can find out your IMEI number by pressing *#06# on your mobile phone's keypad, it will display a 15 digit number - that is your IMEI number.

• If your phone is lost or stolen, report it to your local police station and your network operator immediately.

• Think about how a text message might be read before you send it.

• You should never give anyone else's number out without asking them if it is okay.

• You should never take pictures or videos of anyone with your phone if you do not have their permission.

• Do not allow others to take pictures or videos of you without your permission. Remember – these pictures and videos can be posted to the Internet.

• Be careful if you meet someone in real life who you only "know" through text messaging. Even though text messaging is often the "next step" after online chatting, that does not mean that it is safer.