William Cram, who is earning a computer science degree, knows security is important but said a recent workshop held at Renton Technical College by the state Office of CyberSecurity (OCS) helped open his eyes.
"I didn't realize how much we are under attack," Cram said.
The workshop, held on April 9, provided information on common cybersecurity threats, such as phishing attacks, and reviewed ways that people and organizations can protect themselves online. Phishing is when bad actors use fraudulent emails or spoofed websites that try to trick people into downloading malicious software, or share confidential information such as login credentials.
Cram said he is using the information he learned at the OCS event to help protect himself and his family.
Forty students and faculty attended the half-day workshop. The goals of the event were to provide the people attending an introduction to cybersecurity as well as an opportunity to talk to professionals working in the field.
In addition to providing information on how to protect yourself, Aaron Brown, an OCS security analyst, also discussed what the attackers want, how to identify if you have been attacked, and what to do if you have been hacked.
"I think this was a great opportunity to introduce students to the field of cybersecurity and provide a practical look at several aspects of what is involved in that field," Brown said.
Aaron Brown, an OCS security analyst, at Renton Technical College.