The National Cybersecurity Center (NCC) concluded another successful summer of CyberPatriot camps, offering both standard and advanced programs to junior high and high school students. As a CyberPatriot Center of Excellence, the NCC aims to inspire students toward careers in cybersecurity and other STEM fields.
Best of all, we were just one of several organizations across Colorado to offer CyberPatriot camps. This summer, your Colorado workforce development community worked overtime to ensure opportunities were available Colorado-wide for students to get involved.
At the NCC’s CyberPatriot camps, students engaged in a progressive and interactive learning experience tailored to their existing knowledge of cybersecurity. In the Standard CyberCamp, beginners delved into cyber ethics, online safety, and basic computer operations, including virtual machines. Practical sessions on Windows 10 focus on security policies like account management and file protection. Additionally, they were introduced to Linux Ubuntu 18, learning GUI and CLI basics. A unique feature of the camp included the use of virtual reality (VR) goggles and 3D computers, allowing students to solve puzzles and perform digital exercises in an immersive environment. The week ended with a CyberPatriot competition, applying their new skills in a controlled cybersecurity challenge.
Meanwhile, the Advanced CyberCamp catered to students with prior experience, exploring more sophisticated areas such as advanced Windows 10 utilities, command-line operations, and in-depth Linux Ubuntu topics like init systems and process management. Students also engaged in hands-on exercises in cryptography, enhancing their understanding of secure communication techniques. Networking fundamentals were taught using Cisco’s Networking Modules, offering a deep dive into network operations. The advanced camp also culminated in a challenging CyberPatriot competition, where students defened complex system configurations against cyber threats, with enhanced sessions using VR tools to simulate real-world cybersecurity scenarios.
This year’s camps featured special guest speakers, including Gretchen Bliss, Director of the UCCS Cybersecurity Program, and Rodney Gullatte, CEO of Firma IT Solutions and NCC Board Member, who shared valuable insights into the cybersecurity industry. The success of the camps was largely due to the dedication of instructors like Bill Blatchly and the organizational skills of NCC’s very own Alexia Thompson and Caden Rothzeid.
We extend our gratitude to our partners for their financial support, making these camps possible and empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
The NCC’s CyberPatriot camps continue to prepare students for success in technical careers, fostering a passion for cybersecurity and equipping them with the skills needed to excel in this rapidly evolving field.
