Cybersecurity at the top of the class for Digital Smarts Day
School students from across Melbourne learned how to become better digital citizens and prepared for cybersecurity careers when they visited La Trobe University yesterday, as part of an Optus led Digital Smarts Day.
A free, interactive day for school students led by the team at Optus and supported by La Trobe University, Digital Smarts Day Melbourne has been designed to support young people to be safe, responsible and thrive in the digital world.
Students from grades 5 to 8 participated in a variety of interactive workshops that cover important topics like cyberbullying, staying safe online, and cybersecurity.
Helen Maisano, Optus’ Director for Sustainability said, “Digital Smarts Day is developed from the Optus Digital Thumbprint program. We partner with Kids Helpline for primary school students and we also deliver Digital Thumbprint for secondary school students. Our aim through these free, interactive in-school programs is to support young Australians with the knowledge and practical advice for a positive online experience.”
“With the demand for cyber skills and cyber jobs growing rapidly, we placed a strong focus on cybersecurity this year, expanding Digital Smarts Day by partnering with La Trobe University’s Cyber Faculty and including content from the Optus Cybersecurity Experience powered by Life Journey. This cross-sector collaboration means that students can learn, at a young age, the skills and qualities that will help them thrive in the digital world.”
“Students explorde careers with Optus cybersecurity professionals and heard first-hand from students undertaking La Trobe University’s under and post graduate courses in cybersecurity.”
“While the digital world presents significant issues such as cyberbullying, it also provides countless benefits and opportunities. Events such as Digital Smarts Day and our ongoing programs within primary and secondary schools provide young people with practical strategies to navigate risk and important insights to prepare for the cyber jobs of tomorrow,” Ms Maisano added.
La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar welcomed Optus to the University’s Bundoora campus in Melbourne and said the Digital Smarts Day program aligns perfectly with La Trobe’s world-class expertise in cybersecurity research and teaching.
“We are delighted to partner with Optus on this important program which will not only help young people become responsible digital citizens but will also open their eyes to the wealth of exciting future job opportunities in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity,” Professor Dewar said.
“Students who choose to study one of La Trobe’s own wide-ranging cyber security degrees learn from research experts at the top of their game in disciplines spanning cyber intelligence, information technology, cyber-crime and cyber law – all areas in demand from employers in Australia and across the world.”
La Trobe University degree programs in Cybersecurity
To find out more about La Trobe University’s Bachelors and Masters degree programs in Cybersecurity, go to https://www.latrobe.edu.au/cybersecurity/courses
About the Digital Thumbprint Program
Optus Digital Thumbprint empowers young people to stay safe online to shape their future for the better. We’re thrilled that through our Digital Thumbprint program, over 100,000 students have learned to be safer and smarter online.
To find out more visit http://www.digitalthumbprint.com.au/
About the Optus Cybersecurity Experience
The Day of STEM Optus Cybersecurity Experience is an interactive web platform, powered by LifeJourney that enables students to take a seat beside the Optus Cybersecurity team and test drive a day in the life of six cyber professionals.
To find out more visit: https://dayofstem.com.au/optus.html
Optus Media Contact
Optus Corporate Affairs
02 8082 7850
La Trobe University Media Contact
Claire Bowers
0437 279 903
L-R: Optus' Alison Polyik, students from Macleod College, Optus Cybersecurity expert Stewart Hayes and Dr Alex Ng, Lecturer in Cybersecurity at La Trobe University.
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