New resource encourages families and communities to take shared responsibility for online safety across generations
The toolkit, developed by SANS Institute — the world’s most trusted cybersecurity training provider — is designed to help individuals of all ages understand and protect against digital threats. Recognizing that cybersecurity risks differ by age and lifestyle, the toolkit tailors expert-backed advice for children, teens, parents, and seniors.
“Cybersecurity is not just a corporate issue — it’s a family and community matter,” says Heather Barnhart, Head of Faculty at SANS Institute, as the organization launches its new ‘Secure the Generations’ Toolkit for Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
“The Secure the Generations Toolkit reframes cybersecurity through a generational lens,” Barnhart explains. “People often don’t realize how their life stage influences the way attackers target them. This toolkit makes cybersecurity approachable and personal, helping people protect themselves and those they care about.”
The resource promotes three key principles:
- Personal relevance: Helping families understand the specific online risks faced by their generation.
- Shared responsibility: Encouraging mutual support and awareness across age groups.
- Actionable safety: Offering practical habits that individuals can immediately adopt to improve resilience.
The toolkit includes individual fact sheets for each age group, a quick reference poster, and a digital safety quiz — all created for easy sharing within homes, schools, and workplaces. It also emphasizes how simple actions like recognizing phishing scams, securing passwords, and verifying sources can prevent major digital mishaps.
Barnhart adds, “Whether you’re a parent teaching your kids safe online behavior, a teen navigating digital identity, or a senior learning to secure your devices, this toolkit provides accessible, expert guidance for all.”
The Secure the Generations Toolkit can be downloaded for free from the SANS Institute website.
