Empowering Senior Citizens: Professor Leads Cybersecurity Awareness Seminar

Dr. Shivanjali Khare, an assistant professor in the University of New Haven’s Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science, says she has been passionate about the intersection of technology and security since she was a child. Her interest deepened when she was a graduate student and she witnessed a friend fall victim to online fraud. This experience fueled Dr. Khare's career and her commitment to tackling the growing challenge of cyber threats.

Recently, this dedication led Dr. Khare to organize a "Smart Device Security Awareness Workshop for Seniors" at the New Haven Free Public Library. The event educated seniors on safely using their smartphones and other smart devices, recognizing the unique vulnerabilities faced by this demographic.

“With increasing threats happening every day, scammers are especially targeting seniors,”Dr. Khare

“With increasing threats happening every day, scammers are especially targeting seniors,” Dr. Khare shared. “I wanted to contribute to their sense of safety and wellbeing.”

‘It was about making a difference in the community’

The idea for the seminar originated during a visit Dr. Khare made to the library, where she noticed a variety of programs, but none dedicated to cybersecurity. Recognizing the gap, she proposed a targeted seminar to the library.

“The library was excited about the idea and leveraging their space and resources along with my knowledge,” she recalls. “The next thing I know, we’re planning the seminar and other speakers we could get.”

Held in early August, the seminar featured a data scientist from IBM and representatives from the Connecticut State Police’s Cybercrimes Unit. Dr. Khare herself focused on the specific risks associated with smart devices and provided practical tips on how to protect oneself from potential cyber threats.

“I think events and projects like these are about making a difference in the community,” she said. “It’s a chance to be there to listen to their concerns and answer the questions they have.”

‘They want to understand how to protect themselves’

The seminar was divided into two sections: pre- and post-incident security practices. The first section educated attendees on recognizing and avoiding common scams such as phishing, identity theft, and giveaway scams.

To illustrate these concepts, Dr. Khare’s undergraduate student researcher Ronnie Scarpa ‘25 created a phishing website that demonstrated in real-time how a phishing attack unfolds and what the scammer can see on the other end.

The second part focused on what to do if you fall victim to a cybercrime. “I wanted to connect with local law enforcement, because they could provide real-life examples,” Dr. Khare explained. “They also offered guidance on whom to contact in such situations.”

Dr. Khare observed a strong sense of curiosity among the seniors, and she envisions future workshops that could further build on this foundation.

“They asked a lot of great questions,” she shared. “We had conversations from how you can secure your phone cameras to multi-factor authentication. They want to understand how to protect themselves.”

‘I hope to advance students’ passion through seminars like these’

For Dr. Khare, the seminar was also an opportunity to involve her students in real-world applications of their studies. By encouraging them to create tools such as the phishing website, she endeavors to foster critical thinking about cybersecurity risks.

“I hope to advance students’ passion through seminars like these,” she explained “I want to inspire them to take an active role in protecting their communities.”

Looking ahead, Dr. Khare sees the importance of continued collaboration in the fight against these ever-evolving threats.

“I see increasing cyber risks, and their complexity is growing,” she notes. “Hopefully, we can continue to bridge the gap between academia, industry, and the community to address these challenges together.

"I hope these initiatives encourage others to listen to the challenges faced by seniors and to support them in navigating the digital world safely," Dr. Khare continues. “It's about making a difference."