Professors Jianhua Yang and Sumanth Yenduri, both of the university’s TSYS School of Computer Science, were awarded the money to hold the camp, which is geared toward middle school students.
The program is called “GenCyber,” or “Inspiring the Next Generation of Cyber Stars.” The camp’s website says that the goal of the program is to help fill in the nation’s shortage of cybersecurity professionals.
“Ensuring that enough young people are inspired to direct their talents in this area is critical to the future of our country’s national and economic security as we become even more reliant on cyber-based technology in every aspect of our daily lives.”
A report from the Center for Cyber Safety and Education estimated a global shortfall of 1.5 million cybersecurity workers by 2020.
Professor Hillory Fleener and a team of computer science professors will teach students using programming-based “cyber games.” The games will help students learn how to understand the basic structure of computers and the internet, improve critical thinking and reasoning, explain common network vulnerabilities, and teach defense strategies to stop cyberattacks.
The camp begins just as Georgia’s flagship Cyber Innovation and Training Center officially broke ground in Augusta Monday afternoon, prompting Senator Johnny Isakson to tweet “We’re proud of Georgia’s leadership in cybersecurity and information technology.”
It also comes on the heels of a massive breach of voter information from a Republican Party digital information firm, which is continuing to raise questions about the readiness of U.S. companies and organizations to face hackers in the battle to keep information secure.
©2017 the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus, Ga.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
