Human Firewalls: Empowering Your Community As the First Line of Cyber Defense - Webinar

Where: Webinar/Virtual

When: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST

Note: Login instructions will be sent directly from Zoom prior to the event. If you have not received login instructions by 4:00 p.m. the day before the webinar, please check your spam folder. If you still have not received the login details, please email nercomp@nercomp.org.

Workshop Organizers:   Kerrie Sacovitch and  Sharon Robsky of Worcester Polytechnic Institute

NERCOMP Member: Free
Non-Member: $45.00

Event Overview
Cybersecurity threats—such as phishing, social engineering, and credential theft—continue to challenge institutions across higher education. Strengthening your first line of defense begins with the people who use your systems every day. This webinar is designed for IT professionals, including those in Information Security, Communications, Compliance, and Service Desk roles, who are seeking practical, low-cost strategies to build cybersecurity awareness across their organizations.

A team from Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Information Technology Services will share the origins and evolution of their multimedia cybersecurity education and outreach program, offering insights into replicating this model at other institutions. Presenters will highlight key tactics, campus engagement strategies, and lessons learned from the program’s first two years. Participants will be encouraged to identify adaptable building blocks to begin shaping—or enhancing—their own cybersecurity education plan
 

Session Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
 - Recognize effective strategies for building a culture of cybersecurity awareness across diverse campus audiences.
 - Apply replicable elements from WPI’s multimedia outreach program to their own institutional context.
 - Identify foundational components needed to design or strengthen a sustainable cybersecurity education and engagement plan.

Registration Cancellation Policy:
By clicking the 'Register Now button, you are indicating a commitment to attend and will be held responsible for the registration fee. Your fee can be refunded if you notify us of a cancellation at least 2 days prior to the event via email to nercomp@nercomp.org

Accessibility
NERCOMP strives to make its online offerings and in-person workshops accessible to all registrants.  Please contact us should you have an accessibility need. We've worked to provide resources that are accessible to as many people as possible, and if you encounter any issues while attending our events, please contact us at accessibility@nercomp.org or at 860-345-2081 to request assistance.