Get smart about AI and cybersecurity with CLC

Posted October 09, 2026 9:56 am

Submitted by the College of Lake County

With the rise of artificial intelligence and the ever-changing digital world, keeping yourself safe online requires constant learning. College of Lake County is offering to help once during Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October.

“Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue. It affects anyone with a phone, an email account or a bank account,” said Przemek Wozniakowski, senior cybersecurity engineer at CLC. “These free sessions give students, employees and neighbors practical skills they can use right away, and we added Saturday sessions so more of our community can join us on campus or online.”

CLC’s cybersecurity team is hosting free hybrid workshops throughout October. Each is led by a CLC expert or industry and law enforcement partners. Each session is one hour long and available in person and online over Zoom.

• The ABCs of Artificial Intelligence (AI): What can I do to safely use these tools?: Noon Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Lakeshore Campus.

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we learn, work and communicate, but understanding both its benefits and risks is essential to ensuring a safe, productive experience. This session will explore what AI is, discover some popular AI tools, learn about emerging threats and gain practical tips for using AI safely and responsibly. Whether you are new to AI or simply curious about its potential, you will leave with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions in an AI-powered world. Presented by Byron Sosa, CLC director of cybersecurity.

• Safe Remote and Hybrid Work/Study: Noon Wednesday, Oct. 14, and Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Grayslake Campus.

Working and studying from home, on campus or on the go has become the new normal, but every connection brings its own risks. Learn how to protect yourself on a public Wi-Fi, use a VPN the right way, stay secure while traveling and lock down your home network. Whether you work remotely every day or just check email from the coffee shop, you will walk away with practical steps you can put to use immediately. Presented by Tyler McChristian, CLC IT strategic partner, CDW-G.

• Spot the Phish: An Interactive Session: Noon Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Grayslake Campus and Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Southlake Campus.

Think you can tell a real message from a fake one? Put your skills to the test in this hands-on session with the CLC cybersecurity team. Play “Spot the Phish” and learn the telltale signs of phishing emails, texts and websites that scammers use every day. This is a fun, interactive way to sharpen the single most important cybersecurity skill anyone can have, and no technical background is needed. Presented by the CLC Cybersecurity Team.

• Cyberthreat Landscape: Noon Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Grayslake Campus.

What does today’s cybercrime really look like? Hear directly from the Illinois State Police about current threat trends, recent incidents and the scams targeting communities right now. This session offers a rare law enforcement perspective on how cybercriminals operate, who they target and what you can do to protect yourself, your family and your workplace. Presented by Trooper Shannon Barrea, Illinois State Police.

To sign up for courses, visit learn.clcillinois.edu. Walk-in registration is also available at the door.

The Grayslake Campus is at 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The Lakeshore Campus is at 34 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan. The Southlake Campus is at 1120 S. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills.