program overview
As our nation confronts the critical gap in skilled cybersecurity talent, NCC empowers a diverse workforce by offering programs and partnerships that invite students to engage in an ecosystem fostering learning, exploration, and skill-building.
Cyber Force Initiative
The Cyber Force Initiative is NCC’s training and certification program. It prepares students for a career in cybersecurity by offering training courses that lead to industry-level CompTIA Certifications including IT Fundamentals, Network+, and Security+. All courses are instructor-led and can be completed through in-person instruction or online streaming.
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Cyber Course Descriptions
Registration for Fall 2024 cyber educations courses coming soon!
IT FUNDAMENTALS PRO is designed to provide students with a solid foundation of IT Skills and Knowledge. Through engaging lessons and hands-on learning students will be able to learn hundreds of essential concepts in computer software, hardware, programming, databases, cybersecurity, networking, information systems, and much more. You can learn more about the course specifics here. This course prepares you for the TestOut IT Fundamentals Pro Certification and the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (FCO-U61) exam.
SECURITY PRO is designed to prepare students to perform tasks commonly performed by IT security professionals such as network and systems administrators and IT security specialists. In this course you will learn how to implement layered security through group policy objects, access control lists, wireless and wired local area network security measures, and workstation and mobile device security measures. You can learn more about the course specifics here This course prepares you for the TestOut Security Pro Certification and the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601) exam.
Network+ validates the core skills necessary to establish, maintain, troubleshoot and secure networks in any environment, preparing you for a rewarding career in networking and cybersecurity.
K-12 Student Alliance
The Student Alliance is an initiative geared toward middle and high school students, offering opportunities to improve technical literacy through fun, interactive, and challenging camps, field trips, workshops, and events.
Cyber Camps
June 10-14 Cybersecurity Intro Camp @ UCCS (co-hosted by NCC)
June 24-28 Cybersecurity Intro Camp @ UCCS (co-hosted by NCC)
June 24-28 Civil Air Patrol Camp (FULL)
July 8-12 Colorado-wide Cyber Patriot Standard Level Class
July 15-19 Colorado-wide Cyber Patriot Advanced Level Class
July 22-26 UCCS Gen Cyber Camp (sign up here)
July 29th- Aug 2 Spanish Language Cyber Camp
Want to explore cybersecurity concepts? Looking to learn more about cybersecurity and didn’t know where to start? UCCS and NCC are hosting 2 Summer Intro to Cybersecurity Camps in June.
Students will master the basics of cybersecurity in a week-long camp that emphasizes hands-on learning and teaches cybersecurity from the ground up. Students will play cyber games, learn cyber concepts, and hear from community leaders in cybersecurity about their diverse careers and experiences in cyber with a new guest speaker each day.
DATE: Monday – Friday each week, either June 10 – 14th or June 24 – 28th, 2024
TIME: 9:00am – 3:30pm MT each day
LOCATION: UCCS Kevin W. O’Neil Cybersecurity Education & Research Center – 3650 N Nevada Ave.
MORE DETAILS – Apply Now! Summer 2024 Middle School Camp Website
Note: both camp weeks are the same. You will be asked to choose which camp week you are applying for.
These camps fill up fast, so Apply Now! Those who are chosen for this camp will be notified in mid-May. At that time, you will be asked to register and pay a $25 non-refundable registration fee. As always, reach out with any questions! cyber@uccs.edu Or Apply NOW!
Standard CyberCamp attendees do not need to have any prior knowledge of cybersecurity to participate. Some very basic knowledge of computer hardware (knowing how to use a mouse, browse the internet, identify common computer icons, etc.) is helpful but not necessary.
The Standard camps are designed for novice students with little or no experience with CyberPatriot, cybersecurity, and system administration. The curriculum is a basic-level introduction to the skills and topics utilized in the CyberPatriot Competition.
Camps are $25/student
Age groups are middle and high school
There are no prerequisites (see above)
Skill levels (see above)
Standard camps are designed to teach beginner students the basics of cybersecurity. No prior cybersecurity knowledge is required for participants. The following is an outline of the curriculum for the Standard CyberCamp.
Monday: Introduction to the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, introduction to cybersecurity & careers, cyber ethics, online safety, how computers work, virtual machines, and cyber threats.
Tuesday: Cybersecurity principles, basic Windows security policies and tools, account management, windows file protections, and auditing and monitoring. Students will follow along and work with the Windows 10 demonstration image.
Wednesday: Introduction to Linux, Ubuntu 18 terminology and concepts, basic GUI security, and intro to CLI. Students will follow along and work with the Ubuntu 18 demonstration image.
Thursday: Basic command line security and intermediate Ubuntu security. Students will follow along and work with the Ubuntu 18 demonstration image.
Friday - CyberPatriot competition day. Students will compete against their fellow campers on Windows 10 and Ubuntu 18 competition images.
Advanced CyberCamp attendees must possess some prior knowledge. Most of the Advanced curriculum builds on material covered by our Standard camp and also draws from the activities/tasks in the CyberPatriot competition. Prior exposure to CyberPatriot or similar skill levels are recommended.
The Advanced Camps are ideal for students who have previously attended an AFA CyberCamp or who have competed in the CyberPatriot Competition. Advanced camps are designed to build upon and expand the cybersecurity skills previously learned through CyberPatriot programs.
A basic English reading level is essential for both as many individual and group activities are written directives and students must work alone or within small groups to accomplish tasks.
- Camps are $25/Student
- Age groups are middle and high school
- There are no prerequisites (see above)
- Skill levels (see above)
The Advanced Camp curriculum is designed to allow instructors to pick and choose which areas of interests their students might best learn from. There is more information made available than will fit in a four-hour camp day — instructors have the option to pick the topics which are best suited for their session. Friday must be reserved for the CyberPatriot competition.
- Windows 10 Module – Windows Graphical Utilities, Windows Command Line, optional Sysinternals Suite.
- Ubuntu 18 Module – Init Systems, Advanced Command Line, Processes and Scheduled Tasks, optional Security Policies and PAM, optional Networking.
- Cisco NetAcad – Networking Modules 1-3.
Sample Schedule:
- Monday - Cyber Ethics Module, Windows 10 Module
- Tuesday - Windows 10 Module, Ubuntu 18
- Wednesday - Ubuntu 18 Module
- Thursday - Cisco Networking Modules 1-3
- Friday - CyberPatriot competition day.
Teams of students compete against each other on advanced Windows 10 and Ubuntu 18 images.
Cybersecurity Intro Camp (FULL)
June 10 – June 14, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
UCCS O’Neil Cybersecurity Center – 3650 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Eligible Students: Middle School (6th – 8th Grade)
Registration Fee: $25.00
The week-long cybersecurity camp is designed to introduce middle school students to the fundamentals of cybersecurity. The curriculum includes classroom learning supplemented with many online and hands-on activities and resources that you can use both during camp and after.
Register Here: https://web.cvent.com/event/f6e567dd-d8a6-4de5-8b5f-238e534340b1/summary
Cybersecurity Intro Camp (FULL)
June 24 – June 28, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
UCCS O’Neil Cybersecurity Center – 3650 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Eligible Students: Middle School (6th – 8th Grade)
Registration Fee: $25.00
The week-long cybersecurity camp is designed to introduce middle school students to the fundamentals of cybersecurity. The curriculum includes classroom learning supplemented with many online and hands-on activities and resources that you can use both during camp and after.
Register Here: https://web.cvent.com/event/f6e567dd-d8a6-4de5-8b5f-238e534340b1/summary
Civil Air Patrol Camp (FULL)
June 24 – June 28, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Family Success Center – 1520 Verde Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Colorado-wide Cyber Patriot Standard Level Class
July 8 – July 12, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Family Success Center – 1520 Verde Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Eligible Students: Middle School (6th – 8th Grade) and High School (9th – 12th Grade)
Registration Fee: $25.00
Attending an AFA CyberCamp is the perfect introduction to the world of cybersecurity for junior high and high school students. This camp sets the stage for a STEM career and showcases why CyberPatriot is the premier National Youth Cyber Education Program. The curriculum includes an introduction to the CyberPatriot competition, cybersecurity careers, cyber ethics, online safety, computer basics, virtual machines, and cyber threats. Students learn about cybersecurity principles, Windows security policies and tools, account management, file protections, and auditing while working with Windows 10. They also explore Linux, Ubuntu terminology, basic GUI security, and command line interface (CLI), continuing with intermediate Ubuntu security on Ubuntu 18. The week culminates in a CyberPatriot competition day, where students compete on Windows 10 and Ubuntu 18 images. No prior cybersecurity knowledge is required, though basic computer skills are beneficial.
Register Here: https://web.cvent.com/event/c92faf79-070c-4d2c-879b-c624d0630fad/summary
Colorado-wide Cyber Patriot Advanced Level Class
July 15 – July 19, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Family Success Center – 1520 Verde Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Eligible Students: Middle School (6th – 8th Grade) and High School (9th – 12th Grade)
Registration Fee: $25.00
Advanced CyberCamp is designed for attendees with prior knowledge in cybersecurity. The curriculum builds on the foundation laid by our Standard camp and aligns with tasks from the CyberPatriot competition. Prior exposure to CyberPatriot or equivalent skills is recommended. A basic English reading level is essential due to the written nature of the activities, which require both individual and group work. The curriculum is flexible, allowing instructors to tailor sessions based on students’ interests. There is more content available than can be covered in a typical four-hour camp day, giving instructors the freedom to select the most relevant topics. Friday is dedicated to the CyberPatriot competition.
Register Here: https://web.cvent.com/event/c92faf79-070c-4d2c-879b-c624d0630fad/summary
GenCyber Cybersecurity Camp (FULL)
July 22 – July 26, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
UCCS O’Neil Cybersecurity Center – 3650 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Eligible Students: Middle School (6th – 8th Grade) and Teachers
Registration Fee: No Fee
UCCS will be hosting a “combination” camp, bringing both middle school students and teachers together. This week-long camp will teach cybersecurity principles and be loaded with hands-on activities and exercises to expand and test your cybersecurity skills and education.
Register Here: https://cybersecurity.uccs.edu/events
CyperPatriot Advanced Camp (FULL)
July 22 – July 26, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
UCCS O’Neil Cybersecurity Center – 3650 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Eligible Students: Middle School (6th – 8th Grade) and High School (9th – 12th Grade)
Registration Fee: No Fee
Intro to Cybersecurity Spanish Camp
July 29 – August 2, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
UCCS O’Neil Cybersecurity Center – 3650 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Eligible Students: Middle School (6th – 8th Grade)
Registration Fee: No Fee
This immersive camp offers a unique opportunity for students to explore the thrilling world of digital defense and cyber resilience. Through hands-on workshops and engaging lectures, participants will gain invaluable insights into the fundamentals of cybersecurity. Our camp provides a dynamic learning environment where students can hone their skills, expand their knowledge, and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow’s digital landscape.
Register Here: https://web.cvent.com/event/417024fa-0f2c-47b0-ab01-a239ac1273d6/summary
Cyber Patriot
As a Cyber Patriot Center of Excellence, NCC hosts both standard and advanced level camps each summer. Cyber Patriot is a program by the Air & Space Forces Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future. At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation’s largest cyber defense competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks.
ADULT EDUCATION - Student Spotlight
“Good Knight Cyberella” by V.B. Rankin creatively blends classic fairytales with modern cybersecurity concepts, tailored for young audiences. The play features Good Knight, a princess in armor made of recycled computer parts, and other characters like Rapunzel with 5G internet and Cyberella, who faces FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
The story opens with Good Knight helping Rapunzel, whose tower is flooding due to a drain clogged by her hair. Alongside are characters such as the three little pigs—Packet, Stateful, and Proxy—who build firewalls to combat cybersecurity threats represented by Bitcoin Diamond Miners (Block, Chain, and Banksy), who symbolize malware, viruses, and cyberattacks.
The play is rich with themes of self-reliance and problem-solving, showcasing characters like Snow White and Red addressing modern challenges like phishing and identity theft. It humorously emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity measures like multi-factor authentication and strong passwords.
In its conclusion, the characters attend a grand ball, facing cybersecurity threats personified in a light-hearted, educational manner, ultimately learning to implement effective security measures.
“Good Knight Cyberella” is an educational, entertaining play that teaches young audiences about cybersecurity through fairytales, promoting empowerment and responsible technology use.
NCC CyberMinute Videos