Australia’s leading cybersecurity police officer visits Geraldton to educate the community on safety online

Australia’s foremost expert on cybersecurity and a former police officer of 27 years will visit Geraldton next week to educate students on important internet safety awareness. The training session will encourage vigilance over internet safety and to ensure the younger generation has access to the best in cybersafety education. Cyber Safety Solutions expert Susan McLean, widely known as the ‘cyber cop’, said it was vital that regional communities received up-to-date and expert advice on cybersecurity. “There is a different level of need in the regions, people are often laid back and gives people a false sense of security because they don’t think the bad things are going to happen in the community,” she said. “Students will learn the importance of their digital reputation, internet laws and sharing sexual images, online sex offenders and safe and respectful use of social media.” Mrs McLean will be in Geraldton from Monday to Wednesday next week, running training programs for professional staff and encouraging schools to consider the fantastic opportunity for their students. The event is organised by Desert Blue Connect. Mrs McLean is a nationally recognised cybersecurity expert, taking on her first report of cyberbullying between a group of Year 8 girls in 1994 and received cybersecurity qualifications in the US. She became the first Victoria police officer appointed to a position involving cybersecurity and young people, and established the Cyber Safety Solutions in 2007, which has grown to be the most highly respected and in demand cybersafety consultancy in Australia. Schools interested in organising a session for their students, as well as parents and guardians wanting more information can visit cybersafetysolutions.com.au.