SPTC committees have collected and provided resources below to assist our members during the COVID-19 pandemic. To submit a link for consideration please send it to info@sptc-va.org.
TELEWORK
SANS Security Awareness Deployment Guide: Working from Home – This guide provides a step-by-step plan to quickly execute an awareness initiative to secure your remote workforce, including how to identify what to teach your workforce, the top three risks to focus on, what departments to coordinate with and how to effectively engage and communicate to your workforce. Download the Deployment Guide
Newly Remote Workforce? Take These 4 Cybersecurity Steps Now
The Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) Telework Resources
NIST: Telework Security Basics
COVID-19 and Computer Security, Part 1: Telecommuting Risks | COVID-19 and Computer Security, Part 2: Shoring Up Systems for Remote Workers
Forbes: Navigating The New Normal: Addressing Employee Experience During COVID-19
SHRM: Coronavirus and Teleworking: Tips for Preparing Your Workforce
NYTIMES: The Dos and Don’ts of Online Video Meetings – From setting a clear agenda to testing your tech setup, here’s how to make video calls more tolerable for you and your colleagues.
BUSINESS
Commonwealth of Virginia – Coronavirus (COVID-19) measures to ensure the health and safety of Virginians.
Southern Virginia Regional Alliance – Economic Resources – State, federal, and local economic resources for Southern Virginia companies.
Virginia SBDC Recovery Resources for Small Businesses– Resources for businesses on reopening and recovery.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Coronavirus Small Business Guide –complete coronavirus coverage, updated daily with new resources to assist you and your business.
TELEHEALTH
Sovah Physician Practices – Sovah Physician Practices has added telemedicine to many of its’ offices in specialties that are listed here.
Sovah Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness Information – Resources to help educate you and your family on COVID-19. For more information on the virus, please contact the Virginia Department of Health.
TECHNOLOGY
Microsoft Resources – Microsoft tips and resources to assist in working remotely and strategies and innovation to help students learn online.
COVID-19 Security Resource Library – The National Cyber Security Alliance has provided information on how to avoid cyber threats and scams, security tips for working remotely, government assistance and other guidance
What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Scams – Taking advantage of current events is a common tactic that cybercriminals use to fuel their malicious activities. With the global pandemic of COVID-19 and an overwhelming desire for the most current information, it can be difficult for users to ensure they are clicking on reliable resources.
SANS Virtual Conferencing Safely and Securely – With so many of us now working from home, you are most likely finding yourself remotely connecting with your co-workers using virtual conferencing solutions like Zoom, Slack, or Microsoft Teams. Your family members – perhaps even your children – may also be using these same technologies to connect with friends or for remote learning. Regardless of why you are connecting, here are key steps you can take to make the most of these technologies safely and securely. Download the Tip Sheet
EDUCATION
10 Best Tech Tips for 2021 – Top 10 tech tips to kick your online classroom up a notch in the new year.
Virginia Public Schools – Provides division and building-level administrators, school health coordinators and educators with ready access to up-to-date resources and information about COVID-19 and the steps schools should take to safeguard the health of students and staff.
New College Institute – Learning Resources – Online Learning Resources for Teachers, Parents, Care-Givers and Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
SANS Securing Your Kids Online – With school districts moving to eLearning formats, in which students access online forums from home, this is a fantastic opportunity for children to try new technologies — and also face potential security risks. Watch the Videos | Read OUCH! Newsletters | Watch the Webcast
Parents Guide to Google Classroom – Unsure how to use Google Classroom? View the parents guide to learn the basics.
TECH APPLICATION OFFERINGS
FORBES: Free Software That Businesses, Schools And Others Can Use During The COVID-19 Crisis
Adobe Connect – Adobe Connect is a web conferencing platform allowing collaboration via video, audio, screen-sharing, polls, chat, Q&A, document sharing and more. A free 90-day trial access is being provide through July 1st.
Avaya Spaces – The free Avaya Spaces provides a cloud meeting and team collaboration solution that enables people and organizations to connect and collaborate remotely. Voice and video conferencing for up to 200 participants available.
CiscoWebex – Cisco Webex is offering free video/meeting software usage.
GoToMeeting – Multiple Products for free
Salesforce – Quip Starter – To help teams collaborate while students and staff are away from school.
Zoom – Basic web conferencing plan is free to host up to 100 participants. They have a resource page with tips for remote workers and educators, hosting virtual events, and telehealth.
How to Keep Your Zoom Chats Private and Secure – Zoom’s a great video chat platform, but a few simple steps also make it a safe one.
CONNECTIVITY
List of available hotspots and internet service offerings
Patrick Henry Community College turns parking lots into WiFi hotspots
New College Institute in Martinsville is providing free wifi access
Xfinity WiFi Hotspots – Xfinity WiFi Hotspots across the country are now available to anyone to needs them for free, including non-Xfinity internet subscribers.
Danville’s Hot Parks – Free wireless internet access
- RiverStreet Networks Office | 165 Deer Run Rd, Danville, VA 24540
- GTG (Danville MSAP) | 230 S. Ridge Street, Danville, VA 24541
- Sacred Heart Catholic School/Church | 540 Central Blvd, Danville, VA 24541
- SoVAH Health PRMC 1 (Suite B) | 125 Executive Drive, Danville VA 24541
- Mount Hermon Public Library | 4058 Franklin Turnpike, Danville VA 24540
- Renan Volunteer Fire Dept | 405 Straightstone Rd, Gretna, VA 24557
- Gretna Town Parking Lot | 105 Center Street, Gretna, VA 24557
- Hurt Town Hall | 533 Pocket Rd, Hurt, VA 24563
- Cool Branch Vol Fire Dept | 3016 Smith Mt Rd Penhook, VA 24137
Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) – Wi-Fi covers the entire parking lot, so please maintain social distancing. Use the SVHEC-Students network.
Halifax County-South Boston Public Library System – Wi-Fi is accessible from the parking lots of both the South Boston and Halifax Public Libraries.
Halifax County Public WiFi Access Points – In an effort to help Halifax County students with virtual learning, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce has compiled a list of available WiFi internet access points. If your company or organization has WiFi available for student use, please click here to complete the form.
Virginia WIFI Hotspot Locations – With the help of local officials, schools, and libraries across Virginia, the Commonwealth Connect team and Virginia Tech have developed an interactive map of free, publicly available WIFI hotspots that Virginians can access from a vehicle. If you see any free public WIFI hotspots missing or listed incorrectly, please email – commonwealthconnect@virginia.governor.gov.