Hyderabad: Cyber security is often overlooked in school curricula, leaving adolescents vulnerable to online threats such as scams and social media risks. However, as students are increasingly relying on the internet for education and social interaction in the post-pandemic world, cyber security education has become essential. Thanks to a cyber security awareness initiative by the Hyderabad City Security Council (HCSC), the students are leading the charge, using creative methods like QR codes, skits and performances to inform their communities about cyber security, particularly where digital literacy is low. The HCSC is a public-private partnership under the leadership of Hyderabad commissioner C.V. Anand. The organisation has been conducting cyber security awareness sessions in various government and private schools across the city.
Recently, Seema Sikri, associate director of HCSC, conducted sessions at Kare High School at Kurmaguda and Integral Foundation School at Aghapur to raise awareness among the students and develop them into advocates for cyber security. The sessions covered common scams like FedEx fraud and OTP (One-Time Password) schemes. Each month, HCSC returns to the schools to introduce students to at least three new cyber frauds. "Once they’re informed, a selected group of students from these schools need to create their own awareness campaigns, whether through posters, skits or social media content. They can become the torchbearers of this cyber fraud programme," Sikri explained.
Following each session, four students are selected from the school, along with a teacher-in-charge, to continue promoting cyber security within their communities. These students are responsible for raising awareness through various projects, which will later be showcased at HCSC’s annual summit, where schools across the city will present their contributions to cyber safety.
One particularly innovative initiative was the creation of QR codes that provide easy access to vital cyber security information. "We are designing QR codes that, when scanned, will offer details on scams, preventive measures and the cyber crime helpline number 1930, where incidents can be reported. We plan to keep updating it as we learn more," said Nazia Begum, a student representative from Kare High School. She further shared her enthusiasm for the project, adding, "We also plan to make posters regarding these concerns and share them on social media to inform our friends. It’s crucial that people are aware, especially about the helpline number because there is a 20 per cent chance of recovering lost money in cases of financial fraud."
Teachers are also playing an important role in overseeing these initiatives. Afrah Ansari, a teacher at Kare High School who supervises the group of student representatives, explained, "We have a WhatsApp group that includes representatives from various schools and HCSC members. These students are not only responsible for spreading awareness about scams but also for educating others on precautionary measures."
These efforts are particularly impactful in schools like Kare High School, which serve underprivileged communities. Principal Md Waheeduddin Ansari said, “These families also have an internet presence, so it is important they are educated about these issues. The HCSC representatives broke down complex cyber threats in a way the students could understand, and now these children can pass this knowledge on to their families."
