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Jim Black - Information Security & Awareness Officer
Imagine sending your child off to school, knowing that their personal information is susceptible to cyberbullying, identity theft, and other forms of cybercrime. Unintentional data exposure can result in not just financial loss and repetitional harm, but also emotional anguish that can adversely affect a student's academic and personal life for a long time. Unfortunately, this is a widespread reality in numerous schools that lack the expertise or resources to secure the data of their staff and students.
This is especially true for several K-12 schools in Puerto Rico, where the obstacles faced by the education system are extensive and varied. A lot of schools lack modern technology and equipment, making it difficult for students to keep up and thrive in today's digital era. Moreover, there are shortages of teachers, limited resources, and budget cuts that make it difficult for schools to provide quality education and training. This puts Puerto Rican children at risk of falling behind in terms of technological advancements and digital literacy, making it harder for them to compete in the job market.
That is why nonprofits such as Tech My School are committed to bringing the Puerto Rican school system up to date with technology and training. By providing necessary technical safeguards to our schools and training the staff and teachers, we can guarantee that our schools are not just better guarded against cyber threats, but that our staff and students can grow into responsible digital citizens.
As someone who has a profound love for Puerto Rico, where my family has resided for generations, I believe it is imperative to address the challenges that the Puerto Rican K-12 school system faces regarding technology and training. Information security and digital citizenship are fundamental components of this objective. By educating our children about their digital footprint, the potential hazards associated with sharing information online, and how to safeguard themselves from malicious actors on the internet, we are giving them the skills to navigate the digital world responsibly and safely.
At Tech My School, we believe that every child in Puerto Rico deserves an education of global standards that prepares them for the future. But we cannot achieve this alone. It is up to all of us, as members of the Puerto Rican community, to acknowledge the significance of information security and take measures to safeguard our schools. We must strive for better technology and training resources, and we must hold our schools and education officials accountable for ensuring that our schools are adequately equipped to manage the challenges of the digital age.
By providing schools with the tools and training they need to keep our children safe and secure, we can ensure that the next generation of digital citizens is equipped to handle the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. It is time for us to unite and prioritize digital literacy in our schools. Join us in this mission and make a difference in the lives of Puerto Rican children today.