Launch of National Partnership for Safe Computing

[Rodney Petersen <rpetersen () EDUCAUSE EDU>]

I wanted to bring to your attention details regarding a new partnership
on cybersecurity awareness described in the announcement below.  The
prospects of Town Hall Meetings within Congressional districts that
focus on cybersecurity awareness is a promising way to reach local
community members.  The resulting preparations is also likely to raise
the awareness of members of Congress and their staff.  The
EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Security Task Force did not exhibit in the Open House
because we do not produce any "materials" that are targeted towards the
general citizen.  However, there may be opportunities for institutions
of higher education to participate by either hosting Town Hall Meetings
at your institution or volunteering to participate as a community expert
or resource.  Please consider getting involved if your institution is
within the Congressional district of any of the Congressional partners
identified below or if you wish to encourage your local Congressman to
join the Partnership.
 
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
 
Thanks,
 
-Rodney
 
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Rodney J. Petersen, J.D.
Government Relations Officer & Security Task Force Coordinator

EDUCAUSE
1150 18th Street, N.W., Suite 1010
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 331-5368 / (202) 872-4200
(202) 872-4318 (FAX) 
EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Security Task Force
www.educause.edu/security <http://www.educause.edu/security> 
-------------------------------------------------- 

________________________________

On Thursday, June 12 the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory
Committee (ICAC) held in collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission
its second annual Safe Computing Town Hall Open House in the U.S.
Capitol Building. The event brought together leading online safety and
cyber-security groups from the federal government, non-profit community,
and technology industry to illustrate and make available educational
outreach resources on safe computing to Congressional offices. The goal
of the Open House is to encourage Members of Congress to host
educational Safe Computing Town Hall meetings in their districts (See
http://www.netcaucus.org/events/2008/townhall/)

The event also featured the launch of the "National Partnership for Safe
Computing," with its honorary co-chairs Congresswoman Melissa Bean and
Congressman Frank Wolf. The Partnership brings together online safety
advocates, educators, and industry, together with Members of Congress to
engage Americans on the topic of online safety and security. Promoting
and facilitating education for parents and families drive this
pro-active solution to online threats. (See release for more information
at http://www.neted.org/updates/27)

Altogether eight Members of Congress stood up for the partnership. All
Congressional partners have hosted constituent educational Town Halls in
their districts on Safe Computing.  The ICAC plans to encourage more
Members of Congress to join the partnership and host Safe Computing Town
Halls in their districts as well.  The Congressional and private sector
partners are listed below. 

National Partners for Safe Computing:

Honorary Congressional Partners
Representative Melissa Bean (IL-8)
Representative Frank Wolf (VA-10)
Representative Thelma Drake (VA-2)
Representative Bob Goodlatte (VA-6)
Representative J. Randy Forbes (VA-4)
Representative Mark Kirk (IL-10)
Representative Randy Kuhl (NY-29)
Representative Lamar Smith (TX-21)

Private Sector Partners:
   
American Library Association
AT&T
Comcast
Common Sense Media
ConnectSafely.com
CyberSmart!
Federal Trade Commission
GetNetWise
i-SAFE
iKeepSafe
National Cyber Security Alliance
NCTA/Cable in the Classroom
Qwest Communications
TRUSTe
Verizon
Web Wise Kids