Get smart about AI and cybersecurity with CLC

With the rise of artificial intelligence and the everchanging digital world, keeping yourself safe online requires constant learning. College of Lake County (CLC) is here to help once again during Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October.

"Cybersecurity isn't just an IT issue. It affects anyone with a phone, an email account or a bank account," said Przemek Wozniakowski, senior cybersecurity engineer at CLC. "These free sessions give students, employees and neighbors practical skills they can use right away, and we added Saturday sessions so more of our community can join us on campus or online."

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CLC's cybersecurity team is hosting free hybrid workshops throughout October. Each is led by a CLC expert or industry and law enforcement partners. Each session is one hour long and available in person and online over Zoom.

• The ABC's of Artificial Intelligence (AI): What can I do to safely use these tools?, 12 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the Grayslake Campus and Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Lakeshore Campus.
  Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we learn, work and communicate, but understanding both its benefits and risks is essential to ensuring a safe, productive experience. Join us for this engaging session to explore what AI is, discover some popular AI tools, learn about emerging threats and gain practical tips for using AI safely and responsibly. Whether you are new to AI or simply curious about its potential, you will leave with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions in an AI-powered world. Presented by Byron Sosa, CLC director of cybersecurity.

• Safe Remote and Hybrid Work/Study, 12 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 and Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Grayslake Campus.
  Working and studying from home, on campus or on the go has become the new normal, but every connection brings its own risks. Join us to learn how to protect yourself on a public Wi-Fi, use a VPN the right way, stay secure while traveling and lock down your home network. Whether you work remotely every day or just check email from the coffee shop, you will walk away with practical steps you can put to use immediately. Presented by Tyler McChristian, CLC IT strategic partner, CDW-G.

• Spot the Phish: An Interactive Session, 12 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the Grayslake Campus and Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Southlake Campus.
  Think you can tell a real message from a fake one? Put your skills to the test in this hands-on session with the CLC cybersecurity team. Play our Spot the Phish game and learn the telltale signs of phishing emails, texts and websites that scammers use every day. This is a fun, interactive way to sharpen the single most important cybersecurity skill anyone can have, and no technical background is needed. Presented by the CLC Cybersecurity Team.

• Cyberthreat Landscape, 12 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the Grayslake Campus.
  What does today's cybercrime really look like? Hear directly from the Illinois State Police about current threat trends, recent incidents and the scams targeting our communities right now. This session offers a rare law enforcement perspective on how cybercriminals operate, who they target and what you can do to protect yourself, your family and your workplace. Presented by Trooper Shannon Barrea, Illinois State Police.

Visit here to sign up for courses. Walk-in registration is also available at the door.

Campus address:

• Grayslake: 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, IL, 60030

• Lakeshore: 34 N Sheridan Road, Waukegan, IL, 60085

• Southlake: 1120 South Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills, IL, 60061