CyberStart America in Georgia is a statewide initiative to enable all students in the state’s 800-plus high schools to discover their talent in cybersecurity.
With over 700,000 vacant positions in cybersecurity, we are looking at K12 schools to inspire thousands of teenagers to join the cyber workforce fast! The CyberStart America in Georgia Taskforce is working with teachers to help fill those vacancies using CyberStart America. Produced by the SANS Institute and the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation, students can identify their cyber talent through 200 fun challenges in a variety of topics. Top performing students are eligible to receive a free SANS training course and the chance to test for an industry level certificate. The resources and tools on this page will help you maximize the impact of CyberStart America in your classroom and help us find those cyber stars!
Five state leaders in cyber education - University of North Georgia, Georgia Department of Education, STEM@GTRI (Georgia Tech Research Institute), Georgia Cyber Center and TAG-Ed (Technology Association of Georgia Education Collaborative) - guide the CyberStart Georgia Task Force with the aim of helping students learn about cybersecurity using an easy-to-follow game-based online platform.
Supported by Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Education.
CyberStart America is a free, learn-as-you-go, online game designed to help students in grades 9 - 12 learn about cyber as they complete fun puzzles and challenges. The game helps students explore their abilities, build their skills and compete for scholarships in cybersecurity along with cash prizes available exclusively in Georgia.
If you know students who are:
They have the traits that could lead them to a successful career as a cyber professional.
No prior experience in computer science is required by students or teachers to get started!
The 2022 CyberStart America game cycle will run from October 4, 2022 to April 4, 2023.
Students can explore more than 200 unique cybersecurity challenges, which they will solve as a cybersecurity agent investigating criminal gangs. They earn points for every challenge solved and earn digital achievement badges at various point levels. Top-scoring eligible players will be invited to apply for cyber training scholarships worth $3,000 from the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation.
Visit CyberStart America for additional information and resources for teacher and advisors.Benefits to Teachers & Advisors
Benefits to Students
Recognizing Georgia's top students and schools in the CyberStart America program (CSA). The top 10 Georgia students new to CSA with the highest point score by the CSA closing date (April 4, 2023) each receive a $500 cash prize.** The top 10 Georgia students returning to CSA with the highest point score by the CSA closing date (April 4, 2023) each receive a $500 cash prize.** The Georgia school with the highest cumulative point score in Georgia among their registered CSA participants will receive $2500. The Georgia public school with the highest number of CSA participants* that does not have an existing cyber pathway will receive $2500. The Georgia school with the highest increase in National Cyber Scholarship Semifinalist qualifiers from 2022 to 2023 will receive $2500. Recognizing Georgia's Public School Districts that are encouraging the greatest participation in CyberStart America. The top 10 Georgia public school districts with the highest total CSA registrations by January 16, 2023 will be awarded the title District of Distinction, giving the students and schools in that district the chance to qualify for the prizes outlined below.** The District of Distinction with the highest number of National Cyber Scholarship Semifinalist qualifiers by the CSA closing date (April 4, 2023) receives a top prize of $5,000. Exploring Superstars: The 2 students new to CyberStart America in each District of Distinction with the highest point score by the CSA closing date (April 4, 2023) each receive $500.** Advancing Superstars: The 3 students returning to CyberStart America in each District of Distinction with the highest point score by the CSA closing date (April 4, 2023) each receive $500.** Within each District of Distinction, the school with the highest percentage of its total student body participating* in CyberStart America (CSA) will receive $2,500.** Within each District of Distinction, the school with the highest increase in CSA participants* from 2022 to 2023 will receive $2,500.** *For the purposes of awarding school and district awards, a "participant" is an eligible student who has registered for the CyberStart America program in 2022-23, and completed at least one challenge in CyberStart. **A school can only win one Georgia-specific prize per year across all categories. An individual student can only win one single Georgia-specific prize per year across all categories and cannot win a Georgia-specific prize two years in a row – they may be eligible for additional awards via the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation. The title of District of Distinction will be awarded based on student registration numbers in CyberStart America (CSA) from that district by January 16, 2023. Cash prizes will be awarded based on student participant* numbers in CyberStart America (CSA) from that district by April 4, 2023. If a school or district that has won an award from a previous year is eligible to win an award in this year, they must submit their report on how the previous year's funding was spent before they can receive their award for this year. School prizes must be used to further cybersecurity education in their school, district, or region.Cash Prizes Exclusively for Georgia Students & Schools
Statewide Superstars
Districts of Distinction
Notes:
CyberStart America is a highly flexible program for schools. The game can be incorporated into a class, be a stand-alone club, be used in an “Extensions” period, or be completed individually by students, and is a great way to help students prepare for S.B. 108. As a reminder, schools should do their own FERPA compliance check before implementing new programs. As a district partner, CyberStart America in Georgia requests: Find 1-3 teachers willing to hold a club before school, after school, and/or during lunch. We recommend that club leadership replace duty during club time to provide teachers an incentive. Here are a few important reminders:Incorporating within Districts
Classroom-Incorporation Option:
Club Option:
Individual Option:
If students register using their school email address, please have your IT staff whitelist the following domains: These domains need to be approved so students will receive emails for registration information and support throughout the game. Emails will also come from these domains if a student is eligible for prizes at the end of the game, so it is very important that they can receive these emailsFrequently Asked Questions:
What is the time commitment for the teacher? What does this look like in the classroom?
or as part of a school-wide initiative, and students that want to continue could do so as an anchor activity for the "fast finishers" in a lesson.If the students play independently, how often should they be accessing it?
What is the range of time students have to complete the game?
My students are stuck on challenges that require a virtual machine. How can they access one?
Can this be used in classes outside of CTAE and Computer Science?
Can teachers keep track of students' progress?
Can this be used in middle school classes, or just high school?
Why are there different Georgia prize categories?
Important Information
Contact us at at CyberStartGeorgia@ung.edu Visit CyberStart America for additional information and resources for teacher and advisors.Learn More
Imagine the outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic with a shortage of 500,000 doctors in the U.S.
How would California fare with a shortage of 500,000 fire fighters?
Although the United States has not faced these hypothetical crises, cyber crimes are a growing threat to our national welfare, in part, because of the critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals.
With nearly 500,000 cybersecurity jobs currently unfilled in the U.S., 17,000 of them in Georgia alone, shortage of cybersecurity professions affects everyone, with more frequent and damaging cyber attacks on food and fuel supplies, water and utilities, government agencies and corporations in nearly every business sector.
Georgia’s high schools play an essential role in helping students explore their potential in this crucial career field. CyberStart Georgia helps high schools meet the challenge of preparing the next generation of cyber professionals.