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Aspen Policy Academy Launches “Cyber Civic Engagement” Program to Teach Consumers How to Protect Their Communities Online

New Virtual Training Transforms Individuals into Effective Cybersecurity Policy Advocates Through Grassroots Advocacy, Cyber Hygiene, and Community Defense Strategies

Washington, DC, October 6, 2025 — Cybersecurity isn’t just for tech experts. From online scams, compromised personal information, to hacked municipal systems, everyone is at risk. In response, the Aspen Policy Academy, an initiative of Aspen Digital, is offering Cyber Civic Engagement, a new virtual training program designed to teach people, regardless of their technical aptitude, how to protect and advocate for stronger cybersecurity in their own communities. This innovative pilot program, developed with generous support from craigslist founder Craig Newmark and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, is designed to help citizens join the conversation at a grassroots level, leveraging their expertise and passion to successfully refine policy where it matters most. 

“After years of working with cybersecurity experts and policymakers, we’ve seen that everyday people often feel powerless when it comes to protecting their personal information and local infrastructure from cyber threats,” said founding director Betsy Cooper. “With recent developments in the world of artificial intelligence, it’s never been more important to practice good personal cyber hygiene and amplify that message to others. We’re looking forward to offering this one-of-a-kind training to provide people with the tools to be proactive and empower anyone to take action and make their voices heard.” 

Open for registration on October 6, the comprehensive training includes: 

  • Monthly workshops, teaching skills such as:
    • How to effectively tell governments what you think about their cybersecurity infrastructure.
    • Advocating for cybersecurity infrastructure to local stakeholders such as city councils, school boards, and utilities commissions.
    • Teaching how to translate ideas into action, like writing effective letters and public comments.
  • Compelling tip sheets and other resources, so participants can carry on the work in their own policy efforts. 
  • One-on-one policy coaching for top candidates to enable them to advocate (provided on a sweepstakes basis to training participants).
  • Train-the-trainer programming for the top community advocates to share lessons in their own community, enabling the model to rapidly scale.

The program supports the mission of Take9, a national cybersecurity public service campaign to help Americans become more resilient against increasingly pervasive and sophisticated cyber threats. Take9 works with individuals and organizations to bring awareness and collective action against cyber threats and ultimately, help protect our nation’s critical infrastructure. 

“I’ve been doing the cybersecurity thing for a long time, and when regular people get the right tools and training it makes a big difference,” said Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies. “This program and our Take9 campaign are a big deal when it comes to helping people protect themselves from scams — and our country’s infrastructure from cyberattacks.”

The Aspen Policy Academy is the first comprehensive, non-university training program in the United States offering a step-by-step process to learn practical strategies for policymaking. With a trusted network to successfully help thousands of people advocate for cybersecurity change, Aspen Policy Academy has proven success and impact. Past alumni have collaborated with the Vermont Rural Water Association to safeguard a small town’s water system against hackers, enabled Utah’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy to prioritize data security and privacy, and persuaded Boulder, Colorado’s school district to include smartphones in its policy on student searches and interrogations.

Interested individuals can learn more and register for the Cyber Civic Engagement program here. They can also sign up for the Aspen Policy Academy newsletter here to get more updates. 

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About the Aspen Policy Academy

The Aspen Institute’s Policy Academy helps community leaders and experts across the political spectrum elevate their voices, influence key decisions, and strengthen democracy from the ground up. The Academy’s innovative training programs and resources equip people across sectors – from tech to the environment, science to civic engagement – with the skills to shape critical policy efforts. The Academy is the first comprehensive, non-university training program in the United States offering a step-by-step process to learn practical strategies for policymaking. The Policy Academy has trained thousands of leaders, helping them gain government experience and successfully change policies across federal and state governments. Learn more at AspenPolicyAcademy.org.

About Aspen Digital 

Aspen Digital is a program of the Aspen Institute focused on the rapidly changing landscape propelled by AI and emerging technologies. Aspen Digital convenes thinkers and doers in the field of AI, Cybersecurity, and beyond, to uncover new ideas and spark policies, processes, and procedures that strengthen society and ensure our interconnected world is safe – both online and off. Its programming is future-oriented and inspires collaboration among decision makers from industry, government, and civil society, elevating promising solutions and turning thought into networked impact. To learn more, visit aspendigital.org or email aspendigital@aspeninstitute.org.

About Take9 

Take9 is a national cybersecurity public service campaign to help Americans become more resilient against increasingly pervasive and sophisticated cyber threats. The campaign introduces a simple approach to protecting against a complex array of malicious cyber activity: the 9-second pause. The campaign includes mobile video content, a website offering information and education resources, social media content, display ads, and outdoor placements including airport ads and billboards. The effort contributes to community and national resilience against cyber threats and ultimately, helps protect our critical infrastructure. 

About Craig Newmark Philanthropies 

Craig Newmark is a Web pioneer best known for creating craigslist, which he stepped away from running day-to-day two decades ago. Craig’s full-time philanthropic work focuses on supporting organizations protecting America’s security and democracy. He has given more than $500 million in support of veterans and military families, nonpartisan journalism, cyber security education programs, hunger relief, and pigeon rescue. Craig was influenced by his Sunday School teachers who escaped the Holocaust, set his moral compass, and taught him to treat people like you want to be treated – and how to know when enough is enough. He’s not as funny as he thinks he is.

Contact: Eric Baker
Media Relations Manager
Aspen Institute
eric.baker@aspeninstitute.org