Penn College Students Win Award for Computer-Security Video

Five Pennsylvania College of Technology students will share a $400 third prize for their entry in the 2007 Computer Security Awareness Video Contest sponsored by the EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Computer and Network Security Task Force to raise awareness of and increase computer security at colleges and universities.

The team of Maurizio Bertone, of Greenwich, Conn.; Joshua S. Bucknor, of Lock Haven; Christopher R. Herbein, of Birdsboro; Guy Hershberger, of Union City; and Joseph S. Iacona, of Pittston, created a two-minute video, "A Short Film About Data Protection," that describes several steps the average user can take to keep personal computer files safe.

Bucknor is enrolled in information technology: web and applications development; Bertone, Herbein, Hershberger and Iacona are information technology: network specialist majors.

The bronze award-winning video was produced as part of the Fundamentals of Information Security class, taught by Lisa R. Bock, an information technology instructor in the college's School of Business and Computer Technologies.

"The students were very focused in their efforts," she said. "Aside from spending hours on editing, they utilized a 'green screen' provided by Inbox360 (a Williamsport e-marketing firm) in order to provide an entertaining and educational security video."

The team benefited from in-house tips on video production from James R. Dougherty, digital media developer in the college's Instructional Technology & Distance Learning Office, who spoke to about 100 information technology students during a school-sponsored event in February.

"Given that this is the first time we had our information technology students enter a national educational video contest quite like this, I must compliment Ms. Bock for her creativity in assignment planning and, of course, our students for their dedication, hard work and innovative application of information security course content," remarked Edward A. Henninger, dean of the school.

The task force, along with the National Cyber Security Alliance and Research Channel, is making the videos available for campuses' use in student orientation this summer and fall. The contest sought videos that explain computer-security problems and specific actions that college and university students can take to safeguard their computers or personal information.

The contest had two categories: two-minute-or-less training or instructional videos and 30-second public-service announcements. The winning videos, as well as those receiving honorable mention, can be viewedon the Web .

In all, there were 56 submissions from 24 colleges and universities.

For more about majors in the School of Business and Computer Technologies including the information technology: security specialist bachelor's degree call (570) 327-4512, send e-mail or visit online.