Districts honored for cybersecurity instruction

The CyberStart America in Georgia Task Force, led by the University of North Georgia (UNG), honored 10 public school districts in Georgia with District of Distinction status for their efforts in helping the state have the second-most students participating in CyberStart America, with more than 4,000 registrants. The program features a free, learn-as-you-go, online game designed to help students explore cybersecurity, compete for college scholarships in cyber studies, and earn prize money provided by private industry.

UNG's Institute for Cyber Operations and College of Education are spearheading the effort in Georgia to sign up students for the game, which started Oct. 27 and runs through April 27. The university is partnering with the Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Tech Research Institute, and the Georgia Cyber Center. The top 20 students from public, private or home schools in CyberStart America in Georgia each receive $500 prizes.

"There are a lot of misconceptions around cyber," Dr. Lindsay Linsky, co-leader of the CyberStart America in Georgia Task Force and UNG associate professor of middle grades education, said. "We want to help students realize they have the tools needed to succeed in this field."

The Districts of Distinction (in order of most students participating as of Dec. 31) are:

1. Buford City School District
2. Gwinnett County Public Schools
3. Columbia County School District
4. Forsyth County Schools
5. Peach County School District
6. Muscogee County School District
7. Fulton County School System
8. Valdosta City School District
9. Dalton City School District
10. Cherokee County School District

Buford will receive $15,000 as the top district, with the others earning $5,000 each to bolster their cybersecurity education efforts.

There are a lot of misconceptions around cyber. We want to help students realize they have the tools needed to succeed in this field.

Dr. Lindsay Linsky

co-leader of the CyberStart America in Georgia Task Force and UNG associate professor of middle grades education

"This initiative is a great opportunity for high school students to discover their aptitude for cybersecurity and explore a field they might not have considered otherwise," Caitlin Conneely, program manager for the cyber institute, said. "We encourage teachers, as well as school and district leaders to introduce CyberStart America to their students and help pave the pathway for future cyber professionals."

Jim Crupi, a 1970 alumnus of UNG and president of Strategic Leadership Solutions Inc., assisted in raising the private funds being used for student prizes because he sees the need for growing the workforce that will tackle the extensive cyber dangers in the world.

"It's a critical issue. The future of the country rests on our students' ability to get engaged in this effort," Crupi, who serves on UNG's Board of Trustees, said. "It's the No. 1 threat to every person, every business and our national security. That's not hyperbole. That is fact."

The Georgia Cyber Center and UNG will host a certification event in early May to verify that each individual selected as a Georgia winner has developed the cyber skills indicated by their score in the CyberStart America game, confirming their ability to compete in similar challenges and in future workforce roles. Winners will then receive their prizes at an event later in May.

The program is flexible and can be implemented in numerous ways: after-school or lunchtime club; pathway program; in-class or homework assignment; extra credit; introductory cyber class; or an in-class activity for students who have already finished their other assignments.