10/29/2026
As Cybersecurity Awareness Month comes to a close this October, Cook County Digital Equity is celebrating the people and partnerships helping residents build the skills, knowledge, and confidence to navigate an increasingly connected world safely.
This month serves as a reminder that digital equity is about more than access to technology and broadband. It also means ensuring residents have the tools and knowledge to protect themselves online, safeguard their information, and even recognize digital threats.
This commitment is reflected in Cook County’s Digital Equity Action Plan, which recognizes that security is a fundamental cornerstone of digital equity. As more essential services, educational opportunities, and everyday interactions move online, residents need the ability to connect and the confidence to do so safely.
Celebrating Leadership in Cybersecurity
One example of a Cook County innovator in online safety is Shaelyn Otikor-Miller, Founder and President of Beyond Boundaries Computer Training. At Access Amplified 2026, Otikor-Miller was recognized with the Cyber Shield award for her leadership in digital inclusion. Beyond Boundaries Computer Training works to advance computer education and digital skills in South Suburban Cook County.
Otikor-Miller's recognition highlights the important role community-based training and education play in building a safer, more inclusive digital environment. By helping digital learners develop their technology skills, leaders like Otikor-Miller and Beyond Boundaries Computer Training contribute to a stronger foundation for digital confidence, awareness, and security.
Otikor-Miller's work reflects the spirit of the Amplifier Awards, created to recognize the people who go beyond expanding access to technology to help communities thrive in a digital world.
In Case You Missed it: Cybersecurity and Digital Literacy at Cook County
Cook County’s information Security Office celebrated Cybersecurity Awareness Month through a series of engagement efforts, including outreach at county buildings, weekly employee newsletters, cybersecurity trivia sessions, and a closing webinar featuring an FBI special agent. These activities reinforced the importance of cybersecurity awareness, digital literacy, and safe online practices.
As Cook County advances its Digital Equity Action Plan, Cook County’s efforts to engage residents and inform staff of cybersecurity threats and best practices exemplify one of the cornerstones of the County’s Digital Equity Action Plan: equipping residents with the knowledge and skills to safely and confidently navigate the internet.