The beneficiaries this time are project proposals from Common Sense Media, a San Francisco-based non-profit organisation, and the Digital Security council of India. Last year, grants focusing on law enforcement training and coordination were awarded to the Council of Europe and the National District Attorneys Association.

The Cybercrime Grants programme is focused on fostering innovation and being able to give a measurable impact in key areas of educating, researching and introducing initiatives about cybersecurity issues.

Dave DeWalt, president and chief executive office of McAfee, said:
“As cybercrime continues to accelerate, we must find new ways to educate people and businesses about protecting their digital assets. We look forward to working with Common Sense Media and the Data Security Council of India, as we educate computer users around the world on avoiding the reach of increasingly sophisticated and ruthless cybercriminals.”

Based in San Francisco, Common Sense Media is a non-profit organisation which is focused on improving the media and technology lives of children and families through its up-to-date online information and education programs on digital literacy, digital citizenship, and cyber-safety.

It is there to serve over 4,000 schools and 600,000 households and draws in nearly ten million unique users. It boasts more than one million students with its educational resources and materials on digital media and technology.

The cybercrime grant from McAfee will be used by Common Sense Media to fund key elements of its cybersecurity and cyber-safety curriculum for middle schools.

James Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media, said:
“We are very pleased to be working with McAfee to educate more young people and families about cyber threats and cybercrime, and about using computers and digital media in smart, safe and secure ways.”

Another non-profit organisation, the New Delhi-based Data Security Council of India focusses on developing best practices and training in India on data security and data privacy. It reaches out, via its Cybersecurity Awareness Initiatives, to a broad audience on a wide range of cybersecurity and cyber-safety issues. Money from the grant will help an education project funded through the McAfee Cybercrime Grant programme will reach computer users in Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Pune and Bangalore.

Dr. Kamlesh Bajaj, CEO of the Data Security Council of India, said:
“Education and awareness is the most important step in fighting cybercrime. Even as we create best security practices for industry, it is imperative for us to educate the general population in schools and colleges and with parents about Cyber Safety, Cyber Security, and Data Privacy. I’m sure DSCI together with McAfee can create useful training, and take it to a wider audience in major cities in India. I look forward to close cooperation with McAfee, and I believe this is just the beginning of a long partnership.”

Guest Article by Neil Camp