Unit 8: Cybersecurity and Global Impacts

Lesson 1: Project: Innovation Simulation

Overview

  • Day 1 to Day 7 will cover a series of simulations focusing on innovations, computing, privacy, and security in a futuristic educational context.

Day 1
Warm Up

  • Introduce the Innovation Simulation and its purpose.

  • Focus: Future School Convention.

  • Roles and Activities

  • Pass out badges, nameplates, and character bios to students to immerse them in their assigned roles.

  • Students will present themselves and remain in character throughout activities.

Activity Steps

  1. Brainstorming Session    - Groups will brainstorm beneficial computing innovations for the Future School.    - Consider if a program is integral to the innovation.   

  2. Reflection    - Use the Innovation Simulation Project Guide to reflect on individual wants and needs regarding computing innovations. Stay in character.

  3. Research Session    - Identify a computing innovation unrelated to school as an example.    - Conduct research via Google.    

Wrap Up

  • Collect badges and nameplates after simulation.

  • Transition back to their normal role identities.

Key Concept

  • Computing Innovation: A computing innovation includes a program as an integral part. It can be physical (e.g., self-driving car), non-physical computing software (e.g., editing software), or non-physical concepts (e.g., e-commerce).

Lesson 2: Data Policies and Privacy

Overview
Warm Up

  • Assess what individuals consider personal information.

  • Examples of private information include:   - Social security number   - Birthdate   - Medical history

Activity

  • Pick a website or app and analyze its privacy policies.

  • Students can select from various platforms like social media, online stores, and educational resources.

Key Takeaways

  • Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Information that can identify an individual. Advances in technology enable the collection and exploitation of this data.

  • Impact of digital data: Once digital, information is harder to control. PII can result in identity theft or online stalking as profiles can be formed using overlapping data.

Lesson 3: The Value of Privacy

Overview
Warm Up

  • Review privacy concerns from the previous lesson’s activity regarding the chosen app/website.

Activity

  1. Facial Recognition Technology Discussion    - Explore benefits such as convenience versus privacy concerns.    - Analyze government/business interest in this technology against privacy risks.

  2. Location Data Discussion    - Examine what data is shared and the role of third parties in data collection.    - Discuss the trade-off between privacy and security.

Wrap Up

  • Students must express their comfort level with data usage for innovations and security.

Key Takeaways

  • The data drives innovations that are often free as users 'pay' with their data.

  • Legal and ethical concerns arise from the impacts of computing innovations.

Lesson 4: Project: Innovation Simulation

Overview
Day 3
Warm Up

  • Discuss positive and negative consequences of computing innovations, emphasizing critical thinking to predict outcomes.

Activity

  • Assess character goals and motivations related to the innovation. Provide feedback on proposed innovations within groups.

  • Develop a transparent presentation theme regarding innovations.

Lesson 5: Security Risks Part 1

Warm Up

  • Discuss experiences with suspicious emails or messages.

Activity

  • Jigsaw groups will analyze key security risks:   - Keylogging   - Phishing   - Malware

  • Create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to educate peers on these risks.

Key Vocabulary

  • Phishing: An act that tricks users into giving personal information.

  • Keylogging: Programs that record keystrokes to capture passwords.

  • Malware: Software intended to damage systems or gain unauthorized control.

Lesson 6: Security Risks Part 2

Activity

  • Focus on the Equifax data breach, discussing stored information and implications.

Prompts for Discussion

  1. What benefits does Equifax provide as a computing innovation?

  2. What are the associated security risks?

  3. Recommendations on data handling regulations.

Lesson 7: Project: Innovation Simulation

Overview
Day 4
Warm Up

  • Recap and distribute necessary identification for simulations.

Activity

  • Continue working on the one-pager about individual innovations, focusing on:   - Purpose and Benefits   - Functionality   - Concerns and addressing those concerns.

Lesson 8: Protecting Data Part 1

Overview
Warm Up

  • Introduce encryption and its basics using the Caesar Cipher.

Activity

  • Explore encryption and decryption:   1. Caesar Cipher: Shifted alphabets for encryption.   2. Random Substitution Cipher: Use frequency analysis to crack codes.

Vocabulary

  • Encryption: Encoding messages for confidentiality.

  • Decryption: Reversing encryption to recover original text.

  • Cipher: Technique or algorithm for encryption.

Lesson 9: Protecting Data Part 2

Overview
Warm Up

  • Discuss strategies for creating strong passwords.

Key Strategies

  1. Use of multifactor authentication to enhance security.

  2. Importance of keeping software updated to avoid vulnerabilities.

Vocabulary

  • Multifactor Authentication: A security principle requiring verification through more than one method.

  • Computer Virus Scanning Software: Tools designed to protect systems from malware.

Lesson 10: Project: Innovation Simulation

Overview
Day 5 & Day 6
Activity

  • Preparation for group presentations emphasizing cohesion, addressing concerns, and the overarching theme.

Wrap Up for Day 6

  • Students finalize presentations and reflect on feedback received.

Lesson 11: Assessment Day

Overview

  • Conduct final assessment covering Unit 8 content, focusing on the understanding of cybersecurity concerns, innovations, and privacy issues.

Key Assessment Focus

  • Students are expected to demonstrate their understanding through applied knowledge and practical examples discussed throughout the unit.