CISA Funds Expanded Access to Cybersecurity Programs in HBCUs, K-12 Schools

Black communities across the United States have been increasingly targeted by a series of fraud, attacks, and disinformation campaigns, prompting several efforts to do everything in their power to address the issue.

One of the efforts of workforce development organization CYBER.ORG is killing two birds with one stone through an initiative called Project Reach. This is a feeder program created to recruit K-12 students to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in cybersecurity and strengthen the U.S. cybersecurity workforce.

Funded by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the program addresses over 760,000 currently open cybersecurity positions to raise public awareness of cybersecurity issues. was built to

Project Reach began last year with a National Security Agency-funded pilot at Grambling State University. Three of his high schools in Louisiana, including Woodlawn High School, Huntington High School, and Southwood High School, have integrated cybersecurity classes into their curricula.

According to Corisma Akins, Cyber ​​Education Specialist at CYBER.ORG, the goal is to improve students’ foundational and technical skills in cybersecurity, and another goal is to enroll them in the cybersecurity program at Grambling State University. He added that it is to raise awareness.

“Project REACH will provide high school students with improved access to cybersecurity education, resources to improve their cybersecurity skills, and opportunities to connect the dots and help them pursue a career in cybersecurity. she said.

A recent study found that students in small, high-poverty school districts were significantly less likely to receive cybersecurity education, thus providing a pathway for low-income and minority students to enter this important field of study. is significantly reduced.

The same survey found that less than half of all K-12 classrooms nationwide offer cybersecurity education.

Expanding Project REACH will help increase awareness and access to cybersecurity education for Black K-12 students, Akins explained, adding that the initiative includes outreach to educate the Black community about what cybersecurity is. I mentioned that reach is included.

“There is a diversity problem in the cybersecurity industry,” she said. “It is imperative that we fill our pipeline with talented candidates from all backgrounds.

The success of this effort prompted CYBER.ORG and CISA to expand the program nationwide in September to 10 additional HBCUs, including Claflin College in South Carolina, Langston College in Oklahoma, and Stillman College in Alabama. Announced the introduction of Project Reach. .

Laurie Salvail, director of CYBER.ORG, said the pilot program at Grambling State University “has proven to be an incredible success by partnering with a local high school.” said they are eager to replicate their success in more HBCUs with the help of

“This collaboration between colleges and high schools is important to solve the cybersecurity workforce shortage and introduce students to cybersecurity careers at a young age,” said Salvail.

Several professors at the school called the program “essential” for providing underserved students with the kind of cybersecurity education needed by those seeking technical careers.

“As CYBER.ORG expands Project REACH, we are excited to join the initiative and help students learn how to build lasting careers in cybersecurity,” said Claflin University Mathematics and Carina Lyles, Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Computer Science.

“Our faculty are proud to lead this program at Claflin College, which is essential in closing the diversity gap we see in our industry.”

How the program works

Akins explained that the program has two types of students: K-12 students and college students.

K-12 school teachers who teach some form of cyber education or lead cyber clubs are identified by local school administrators and given a curriculum from CYBER.ORG.

Students in this program will have the opportunity to work alongside university students and cyber professionals, as well as opportunities such as hands-on learning and campus visits to HBCUs.

Participating teachers also receive professional development resources from CYBER.ORG, as well as technical grants that enable them to implement various components of the curriculum.

Cybersecurity-focused students in HBCUs are identified by professors and help guide high school students, lead cybersecurity and computer science activities on campus, and conduct hands-on classes by visiting partner high schools.

Some of the universities involved do not have specific cybersecurity majors, but all have computer science programs that incorporate cybersecurity courses or cybersecurity certification programs.

“The HBCUs registered under Project REACH aim to further develop the cybersecurity provided by their institutions. There are many ways that colleges and universities can provide cybersecurity, and each HBCU has its There is an approach,” she said.

Akins said one of the main goals is for students to finish the program with a better understanding of the industry and, hopefully, an interest in pursuing a career in cybersecurity, in addition to a broader knowledge of cybersecurity. says there is.

Students from participating HBCUs will also have the opportunity to receive instruction from cyber experts associated with the program. One example is Microsoft’s Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) program. This program enables classroom teachers to teach computer science with the support of industry volunteers and a proven curriculum.

Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a live test attack using the “Cyber ​​Range” program offered free of charge to schools by CYBER.ORG. Attendees will not only have the opportunity to complete Linux-based activities, but also learn about cybersecurity issues such as credential harvesting, phishing, SQL injection and request forgery.

“In some cases, students receive case studies on specific topics and are able to correlate actual test attack activities they have completed with similar attacks in the real world.”

There are also several cyber challenges, cyber chats, classroom takeovers, etc. offered through the program. College readiness assistance, industry networking, soft skills development, workshops, competitions and conferences have all been added to Project Reach through expansion.

Akins noted that CYBER.ORG has worked hard to develop a culturally relevant cybersecurity curriculum and content that resonates with minority students such as TK.

“Since this appears to be a twist on CYBER.ORG’s curriculum and activity on personally identifiable information (PII), we would like to use TikTok and Instagram to provide examples of how someone can make their information public. I’ll show you,” she said.

“As more Black students are exposed to cybersecurity and computer science as careers and decide to pursue them, the diversity gap within the industry will shrink. A home can help prepare family, friends and neighbors to prevent hackers and disinformation campaigns from targeting their communities.”