How does cybersecurity affects everyday Iowans? Doug Jacobson, professor of cybersecurity at Iowa State University, and Corey Munson, Vice President at PC Matic share a decades-long mission to “teach every Iowan to be safe online” and explains how cybersecurity has evolved from a niche, tech-only concern to a people-centered challenge that touches schools, churches, small businesses, critical infrastructure, and families.
Munson complements this perspective by describing how PC Matic approaches security from home users all the way to the federal government, and why hyper-local, trusted relationships are essential to helping people feel safe enough to ask “basic” questions about cyber risks without shame or fear.
Jacobson, who has taught computer engineering since 1995, and Munson are launching a new statewide initiative called Cyber Safe Communities. Aimed at building localized cybersecurity networks, the project debuts on October 5 in Huxley, Iowa, featuring a two-hour morning business workshop and a 4:30 PM session for families and retirees, followed by a November event in Sioux City. Rather than relying strictly on software, the program relies on trusted local institutions like libraries, churches, and school IT leaders to demystify digital safety. As Jacobson noted during the discussion, “Technology’s important, but it really comes down to the people, and they have to be involved.”
Combating AI Threats with Practical Fundamentals
While artificial intelligence has dramatically lowered the barrier of entry for cybercriminals—enabling targeted phishing and convincing voice deepfakes—the experts stress that basic cyber hygiene remains the most effective defense. Pointing to industry benchmarks where proper password management and multi-factor authentication can stop up to 90% of attacks, Munson highlighted that complex infrastructure is not required to stay safe. “We can still take basic practical steps towards protecting ourselves, whether it’s our company, whether it’s ourselves individually,” Munson emphasized. Even seasoned professionals struggle with emerging threats; a security expert testing deepfake detection software at the Black Hat conference correctly identified only 20% of synthetic samples.
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Empowering Iowans Through Cyber Literacy
To combat these evolving risks, Jacobson and Munson advocate moving from passive awareness to active cyber literacy, encouraging individuals to adopt simple behavioral habits like pausing before clicking suspicious links. Summarizing the psychology behind common phishing tactics, Jacobson warned, “The more urgency something has behind it, the higher the likelihood that it is some type of scam.” Free registration for the upcoming pilot sessions is available online at cybersafecommunities.org.