St. Cloud State University students are connecting their cybersecurity research with community education.
Three SCSU students hosted the event ElderConnect on Oct. 20 at the Whitney Senior Center.
Student researchers Sowmya Ramkishanraogari, Naseer Moiz and Javelia Morrison-Galimore, along with faculty advisers Dr. Indira Dutta and Dr. Bhaskar Ghosh, held an interactive cybersecurity awareness workshop to help older adults recognize online threats and feel more confident using technology.
The session covered common online scams, warning signs in suspicious messages and practical steps participants can take to protect themselves. Interactive “Would You Click?” examples encouraged participants to discuss everyday situations and practice identifying potential scams.
“This workshop was a rewarding opportunity for students to share their knowledge and learn from participants’ questions and experiences,” said Bhaskar Ghosh, assistant professor of computer science and cybersecurity. “We are also developing research tools to help identify suspicious messages, links and profiles. We would welcome opportunities to offer additional workshops with senior centers and other community organizations.”
These efforts were part of Cybersecurity Awareness Week, where students led multiple educational activities to inform campus and the community about cybersecurity risks and best practices. This included recording public service announcements, creating poster displays and delivering presentations on residence hall floors.
Visit the SCSU website for more details about the cybersecurity program.
