Cyber Security Seminar for Seniors

Here, Gus describes how he organized his activity in his own words:

I wanted to create an opportunity for the more susceptible people of technological scams to be able to ask questions and receive some basic information on how to best protect themselves. It occurred to me after helping my Mom with her computer and some security issues, that maybe some of the other people in her retirement community would benefit from similar interactions and knowledge. Retired are often targeted by scammers and frequently find themselves vulnerable to internet malware and technological hiccups. Through the building management I organized a group hall style discussion, with questions and answers for a group of up to ten people. Not everyone stayed for the full hour, but through traffic ten people were assisted!

What did Gus do?

• A town hall style meeting was arranged with the intention of providing cybersecurity information; along with technical questions and answers to better arm the most susceptible branches of the population to protect themselves from scams, malware, and social engineering.
• This service was provided at Palmer Drive, senior living community.
• There was an hour-long discussion, including questions asked and answered about best practices for personal use and security in the digital world.
• Management of the building insisted of a max capacity of ten members, due to COVID restrictions.
• Ten people were assisted, some did not choose to stay for the entire process; many sought a personal solution to a technological problem.
• Fun was had by all!

Here, Gus helps a senior at his seminar

Gus discusses issues of cyber security with the seniors

Gus discusses issues of cyber security with the seniors

Here is Gus’s reflection about his activity:

The highest mark I can give for this class is nudging me forward to do something (or somethings) for others. Inevitably it has been proven that doing good for others, brings goodness to you. This activity had its foundation in a few of the precepts from the book A 21^st Century Ethical Toolbox, by Anthony Weston. Namely, the ethics of care, the ethics of person, and using creative leveraging to find the best way to implement the vision.

Since we are not alone in this world, state, or local community  – the most important thing to recognize should be the true value of care ethics. For example, “Each of us, in fact, belongs to many such communities… Here, then, ethical relationship is with a group of others… some are voluntary…” (Weston 252). This highlights the importance of volunteering to help others in some form of our own community and we have an ethical duty to help them as we can.

Ethics of the person goes hand in hand with care ethics. Just as we have a moral duty to the communities and relationships we belong to, we have a similar obligation to each and every other person. Weston states, “Think of ordinary kindness, like just offering a seat on a bus or a smile on the street or a sympathetic ear to a friend or a child.”(150) Taking those extra moments for each and every person and the community as a whole it what this activity was about.

In utilizing those ideals, I t took some creative leveraging to invent the best plan to implement this activity. Thinking outside the box was necessary to find the right application to assist my voluntary chosen local community. “Careful and inventive strategizing if often needed to find the best “leverage points,” so to speak, from which to try to make change (Weston 533). The best inspirational thoughts and ideas to help others can come from the most unique places.

Here are Gus’s tips for YOU if you’re interested in organizing a similar activity:

• Do not limit yourself. I spent hours deliberating how to implement an activity I thought was focused on. Then another idea came along and I changed my mind. Be open to any ideas, be creative.
• Involve yourself in something your interested in. Don’t limit yourself to something you feel you are an expert in. Just do something for someone and the ideas will flow.
• After you have your idea, do your due diligence. Research, prepare, practice if needed. If we are making the effort to help people, we should do our best.
• Be prepared to change your idea several times, but do not wait too long to commit to an activity.
• Ideas can come from the darndest places. Keep your eyes and mind open to them!

Here is Gus’s Video!