May 2020 Newsletter
May 29, 2020
Hawaii STEM Conference:
Protecting Your Passsword
On May 7 - 9, 2020 the Hawaii STEM Conference took place virtually! The conference was hosted by STEMworks, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) service-learning initiative to build critical thinkers and solution creators through project-based, service-oriented student learning. A big shout out to the Maui Economic Development Board for a virtual job well done!
 
CyberHawaii was invited to participate in an interactive training session to inspire and motivate K-12 students interested in STEM careers. Jill Tokuda put together a video to engage students on how to better protect your passwords. To watch the full video, click here .
Keeping Educators and Students Cyber Safe
CyberHawaii and the Cyber Readiness Institute hosted its third webinar, Keeping Educators and Students Cyber Safe on May 27. One way to make it easy for students to practice good cyber hygiene is to teach them the “ABC’s”:
  • A – Authenticate your account using a strong passphrase
  • B – Beware of phishing attempts and help students verify that you are the sender of the email
  • C – Caution students to use their video applications if they SEE your screen name calling.
 
Our panel of local and national experts featured:
  • Maverick Fernandes, Director, Information Security Office, Kamehameha Schools;
  • Vincent Hoang, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Hawaii;
  • Craig Moss, Director of Content and Tools, Cyber Readiness Institute and
  • Jodi Ito, Chief Information Security Officer, University of Hawai‘i

For those who missed it, you can watch the full webinar and presentation at the links below:


For past webinars, visit CyberHawaii’s website .
Girl Scouts of Hawaii
“Be Prepared” is the Girl Scout motto, and prepared they were even as COVID-19 quickly changed the world around us. Within seven days of Hawaii’s stay at home order, Girl Scouts of Hawaii launched virtual and online programs and activities through their Girl Scouts at Home program. From space science to entrepreneurship and community service, thousands of girls across the state have kept engaged and connected.
 
 As a community partner of CyberHawaii, we were excited to learn that over the past three months girl scouts in Hawaii have earned over 210 cybersecurity badges and participated in virtual troop meetings held three times a week where cybersecurity activities have been an important part of the curriculum! From kindergarten through 12 th  grade, girl scouts learn about cybersecurity and coding as part of their overall focus on   Science, Technology, Engineering & Math .
 
Badges are a big part of scouting and there are quite a few cybersecurity badges available to signify the knowledge and understanding obtained through the program! Check them out here: STEM Badges .
 
Want to learn more about the Girl Scouts of Hawaii? Visit them online at  www.gshawaii.org .  
Scam Alerts
United State Postal Service (USPS) : The USPS has issued a public service announcement about COVID-related scams in the mail, including scams about stimulus checks, COVID cures, personal protective equipment, etc.

U.S. Census Bureau : The Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census. Furthermore, the Census Bureau will never ask for:
  • Your Social Security number
  • Your bank account or credit card numbers
  • Anything on behalf of a political party
  • Money or donations

If you suspect fraud, call  844-330-2020  to speak with a Census Bureau representative. If it is determined that the visitor who came to your door does not work for the Census Bureau, contact your local police department.
 
Small Business Administration (SBA)   Paycheck Protection Program:
There are numerous scams targeting small businesses interested in the Paycheck Protection Program. For example, a recently reported scam involves a malicious PDF included in an email from “disastercustomerfunding [at] sbaa-gov [dot] com.” Do not click links or download attachments. Report suspected scams to the SBA's hotline at (800) 767-0385.

U.S. Treasury:  Unsolicited phone calls, text messages, or emails purporting to be from the Treasury Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, FinCEN, OFAC, the Treasury “Office of Legal Affairs,” or even from the Secretary of The Treasury, are frauds.
CyberHawaii