To mark Cyber Security Awareness month, EAPO, in collaboration with CNPEA, hostied a panel conversation with guests to increase digital literacy, safe behaviours online, as well as online privacy and security for older people using technology.

NEW Canadian programs on cyber security for older adults were shared from  Ontario Age-Friendly Communities (AFC) Outreach Program and HelpAge’s Dig-IT digital literacy program as well as Knowledgeflow, that is a CyberHub of intiatives and resources for older adults and provides tools for employees in long-term care for managing privacy during virtual visits for residents. Other guests included, MediaSmarts, Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy that provides individuals with the skills to engage with media as active and informed digital citizens, and the Women Cybersecurity Society who provides cybersecurity courses and awareness training to lower risk and enhance security protections.

Speakers:

Kara Brisson-Boivin, Ph.D. Sociology (she/her/elle), Director of Research, MediaSmarts
Emily Mullins, Knowledge Broker, Ontario Age-Friendly Community Outreach Program-Centre for Studies in Aging and Health
Debra Popa, MBA, Executive Director, KnowledgeFlow Cybersafety Foundation
Lisa Kearney, Founder and CEO, Women CyberSecurity Society and International Women in Cyber Day

Resources from Webinar

Ontario Age-Friendly Communities Outreach Program
Blogs: Canada’s Digital Divide and the Path to Digital Equity for All Ages
Report: Older Adult Digital Literacy Best Practices Community Engagement Report  (August, 2022)
Dig-IT Program: https://seniorsdig-it.ca 
Connected Elders and Youth: A HelpAge Canada intergenerational program based in Nunavut

MediaSmarts
Digital Literacy Defined
Cyber Security: Spam, Scams, Frauds and Identity Theft
Cyber Security Consumer Tip Sheets
Digital Smarts Workshop: https://mediasmarts.ca/digital-media-literacy/e-tutorials/digitalsmarts

Women CyberSecurity Society
Newsletter Oct 2022 –Top 5 Cybersecurity Tips and Free cybersecurity workshop
Blog: https://womencybersecuritysociety.org/blog/f/canadas-first-lady-in-cybersecurity

KnowledgeFlow
Knowledge To Help You Manage Your Finances in the Digital Age
Technology To Connect Seniors
Managing Privacy During Virtual Family Visits: A Toolkit For Care Facility Staff
KnowledgeWise: Empowers Seniors to Understand And Use Technology Safely, While Connecting With Others.
Resources: A collection of FREE cybersafety resources including videos, infographics and tip sheets (available in multiple languages).

Additional Resources:

getcybersafe.gc.ca
Get Cyber Safe is a national public awareness campaign created to inform Canadians about cyber security and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves online.

Gluu Society:  a Canadian non-profit on a mission to help older adults learn to use technology to stay happy, healthy & connected. Gluu Essentials is a free learning program that makes it easy for volunteers to share their digital skills knowledge and helps Canadian seniors learn the digital skills they need.

New Horizons for 2S-LGBTQ+ Older Adults 
Creating social support programming and community connection in Simcoe/Muskoka, y, and the Greater Sudbury area. Offers a technology lending program with digital literacy training in the North Bay area and Rural Northern Ontario.

Ontario Digital Literacy and Access Network – Enhancing Remote Community Connections through Digital Inclusion, Equity, and Access! ODLAN is a resource hub that connects individuals and organizations with solutions to bridging the digital divide in 2S-LGBTQ+ communities. Online resources, tools, and social services allow individuals to access social gatherings, educational training, community care networks, current events, and medical services.

Saskatoon Council on Aging – Seniors Tech Buddy
The Seniors Tech Buddy program pairs students and older adults to explore technology. The program is designed to help older adults connect with the world around them.

EVENTS on Cyber Security

Media Literacy Week (MLW) October 24 to 28
An annual event promoting digital media literacy across Canada, taking place each October. Schools, libraries, museums and community groups organize events and activities throughout the week. Learn more https://mediasmarts.ca/media-literacy-week

Collaborator workshop: Discover Online Safety
Wednesday October 26th — 2:00 to 3:30 PM EDT

Hosted by Get Cyber Safe and MediaSmarts

This free, bilingual and virtual event (held via Zoom) is open to Canadians of all ages and of all technical knowledge levels, but is particularly geared to adults over the age of 50. Click here to register

How to Start a new Career in Cybersecurity
October 29th, 2022 – 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Women Cybersecurity Society hosts a workshop to teach you about the cybersecurity industry and what you can do to start a new career within 6-12 months. The session will include practical hands-on exercises you can use to further your career research on training, certifications, jobs, scholarships, funding, and salaries.
Register here