Students Go To CyberPatriot Camp This Summer

Local students received lessons in cyber security, computer networking and security, and information technology through the Air Force Association's camp.

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(Ripley County, Ind.) - Students from Ripley County received hands-on experience in the field of cybersecurity through the Air Force Association’s CyberPatriot Camp held for middle and high school students interested in technology. Hosted by Genesis: Pathways to Success at Jac-Cen-Del High School, the camp provided essential knowledge in cyber security, computer networking and security, and information technology.

The AFA CyberPatriot curriculum provides a deeper look into standard computer programming lessons, and students are able to reinforce this information through challenges and competitions. During the camp, students worked to defend their computers from cyber-attacks while strengthening their responsiveness and problem-solving skills. Along with the challenges and competitions, students were also able to learn about career options in the field of cybersecurity and the postsecondary training required to enter this career path.

An off-site tour and information session at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center showed students the facilities and operations that are supported by their cyber security staff, and students were able to interact with the experienced employees. Simulations of infrastructure failure, wartime security, and penitentiary security were presented, and representatives strongly emphasized the need for bright students in the cyber security field.  Students learned about the Cyber Academy at MUTC, which is offered by Ivy Tech Community College.

“The cyber security camps are an example of Ripley County schools’ success as a leader in Indiana,” commented Brandy Hicks, Instructional Technologist, Milan School Corporation. “The camp allows us to create a pathway to put highly employable skills at the forefront of student learning. There is no hotter area in the tech industry right now than cyber security.  I was proud to see students successfully working through cyber modules in the camp. It’s important to develop an action plan to build community success, and that is what we’ve done for the last three years in implementing a cyber security camp to home-grow cyber security focused students in Ripley County.”

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Professor Scot Cunningham from Northern Kentucky University was the instructor for the camp.   Assistance in the classroom was provided by Amelia Comer from Jac-Cen-Del’s Computer Science and Digital Electronics Program, Brandy Hicks, Cole Vanderpohl, a recent Hanover College graduate, and Jackie Huber from Batesville School Corporation.

Genesis: Pathways to Success (GPS), Northern Kentucky University, Ivy Tech Community College, Hanover College, and local school corporations joined together to offer the camps with the help of generous sponsors. Duke Energy, Hillrom, Southeastern Indiana REMC, College of Informatics at Northern Kentucky University, Jac-Cen-Del Community Schools, and the Ripley County Community Foundation all showed their dedication to a brighter future in technology for the youth of Ripley County through their sponsorship.

Genesis: Pathways to Success (GPS) is an initiative of the Ripley County Community Foundation whose mission is to be a perpetual resource to support, expand, and enhance educational and economic opportunities for local communities. GPS generates ongoing and meaningful dialogue and collaboration to prepare a talent pipeline for a globally dynamic marketplace. For additional information, please visit www.genesisp2s.org.