Online contest accepting video submissions

The second annual Computer Security Awareness Video Contest presented by Educause is accepting submissions until its March 15 deadline. \nAccording to its Web site, “the contest seeks creative, topical and effective videos, of two minutes or less, that focus attention on computing security problems and how best to handle them.”\nComputer security has never been a more pressing matter, according to Educause, a nonprofit organization promoting information technology in higher education.\nWithout information regarding security risks, the average computer owner is at a great disadvantage, explained Rodney Petersen, government relations officer and security task force coordinator of Educause.\n“Because of the power and nature of the risks, it is sometimes equated to giving drivers the key to the car without the benefit of driver’s training,” Petersen said.\nMany misconceptions about computer security exist among the college consumer, he said, including security “out of the box.” \n”(People think) Internet sites can be trusted,” Petersen said. “If I have the right security software, it doesn’t matter how careless I am while on the Internet.”\nSubmitted videos may be about general security awareness or focus on one specific topic. They must be in good taste, be relevant for one or two years and be appropriate for multicultural college and university campuses.\nContestants can submit their videos in one of two categories. The first category is a 30-second public service announcement, and the second is an instructional or training video. Gold, silver and bronze placements will be awarded to the winners in each of the two categories. Gold prize winners will receive $1,000, silver prize winners $800 and bronze prize winners $400.\nSenior telecommunications major Joey Harris wonders “if students could put something together relevant and offer practical ways to inform people.”\nEducause believes students would be the best demographic to convey its message. \n“Students creating videos for students is the most effective means to develop the right messages in the most appealing medium for the audience,” Petersen said.\nThe contest and prizes are sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance. The videos will be featured on the Security Task Force Web site and may be used in campus security awareness campaigns, but Harris wonders just how effective the warnings will be.\n“I don’t think that people really worry about computer security until them or their friends are affected,” he said.