In Collaboration with the National Security, the Department of Mechatronics Engineering Presents an Awareness Lecture on Drug Prevention and Cyber Extortion

The Department of Mechatronics Engineering at the Technological University delivered an awareness lecture on “Combating Drugs and Psychoactive Substances, and Cyber Extortion and Its Impact on Society,” in collaboration with the National Security Agency. The lecture was attended by the department head, Assistant Professor Dr. Ghassan Abdul Hussein Bilal, and first-year students, and was held in Al-Kindi Hall.
The workshop was delivered by Senior Technician Ali Mohammed Majid, a Technical Training Officer, and Assistant Lecturer Mohammed Sabah Rashid, the Head of the Information Technology Unit, in cooperation with Assistant Professor Asifa Mahdi Mohammed, Head of the Women’s Affairs Unit, and Assistant Lecturer Lamia Hussein Assi, Head of the Psychological Counseling Unit.
The workshop focused on raising awareness among the student community about the dangers of cyber extortion. The causes, motivations, and harmful consequences of this phenomenon on victims were discussed, along with an explanation of the methods and techniques used by extortionists to trap their victims. The session also emphasized how to prevent falling victim to this dangerous trend.
The procedures that should be followed before becoming a victim of such crimes were explained, along with how to report cyber extortion and the relevant authorities to approach. The speakers stressed the importance of securing the email accounts provided to students and avoiding sharing them with anyone. They also urged strengthening the relationship between the student community and security forces and emphasized the need to overcome fear when reporting such cases.
The National Security Agency presented statistics on the incidence of cyber extortion cases across Iraqi governorates, along with the number of operations carried out on this critical issue.
On another note, the lecture also highlighted the severe impact of drug abuse on youth, the primary target of drug dealers, and its negative effects on both the community and its security.
In conclusion, the lecturers provided a set of recommendations to students to help them avoid falling victim to these two grave dangers.