Huntington Times

Marshall University is set to host its fifth annual Cyber Safety Summit on November 20 at the Cam Henderson Center. The event, organized by the Marshall University Institute for Cyber Security (ICS), aims to educate middle school students about cyber safety in today's digital age.

Recent data from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has emphasized the importance of such education. From 2020 to 2023, nearly 476 children reported missing were targeted through online enticement, with a significant percentage under the age of 15. This data highlights the need to protect and educate young people in an era where digital interactions are prevalent.

John Sammons, associate director of Marshall ICS, expressed enthusiasm for the summit's return. "We couldn’t be more excited about the return of our Cyber Safety Summit," he said. "Children and parents in our communities need support and resources in an increasingly digital world, and we are pleased to partner with our local schools and others to give them the tools they need."

James Lanham, an instructor/researcher with ICS coordinating the summit, anticipates a large turnout. "This is an important event, and we are pleased that approximately 2,500 students from the region are expected to attend, along with their teachers and staff," Lanham stated. "We also are hosting about 15 to 20 government organizations as part of the education day."

The summit will include participation from schools in Cabell, Putnam, and Wayne counties in West Virginia as well as Chesapeake and Coal Grove in Ohio.

The media have been invited to cover the event. The schedule includes student arrival between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., followed by a program running until approximately 11:40 a.m., with lunch thereafter. Student departure is scheduled for around 12:15 p.m.