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High-schoolers get an early start in cybersecurity training during summer camp at Liberty

High school students from Lynchburg and the surrounding areas learned cyber defense principles June 22-26 at the Liberty University School of Business’ annual summer Cyber Defense camp.

The campers learned cyber defense fundamentals, methods to harden systems, and networking, all while using the Linux and Windows operating systems.

“It always amazes me that the students can come in with little to no knowledge, then by the end of the week, they can actually build system defenses in two operating systems,” said David Donahoo, Cyber Camp Director and an associate professor of computer science.

Computer science professors Dr. Frank Tuzi and Dr. David Holder volunteered to aid with instruction. Curriculum was based on the Air Force Association CyberPatriot, a national youth cyber education program.

Richard Bansley, executive director of Liberty’s Center of Cyber Excellence and advisor to the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition team (CCDC) said the camp gives professors insight into the pool of younger cyber talent.

“The students really want to learn the information,” he said. “They are eager to learn, they appreciate the time and effort that is provided by the instructors and people arranging the camp, and the repeat students continue to come back and say how much fun they had, and the new students also say the same thing.”

“We have to start educating these students as early as we can,” Donahoo added. “We want to introduce the concept of cyber early, which is why we go down to the ninth-grade level. … and instill that desire in them to move forward and pursue a career.”

Professor Bansley was one of the many volunteer instructors for the camp.

The camp was a way for Liberty to invest in the local cyber community for many reasons, including as a requirement of the school’s membership in the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security Center of Academic Excellence for Cyber Defense Education (NSA/DHS CAE-CDE).

With cybersecurity being one of the world’s fastest growing professions, the School of Business has maintained a secure foothold in the industry, equipping students with premium cyber experience. Liberty offers bachelor’s degrees in Computer Sciences, Information Systems, and Information Technology. They offer cognates in cybersecurity within each degree. Additionally, Liberty offers similar courses at the master’s level.

Liberty’s cyber competition teams are coming off their most impressive run in program history, advancing to the national finals tournament for 2 competition teams this last April. The MACCDC team after being crowned regional champions in the Mid-Atlantic for the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, and the Purple Team after finishing as the regional champions for the NCAE CyberGames. The two squads, captained by recent graduate Amanda Jones and undergraduate student Joel Camplejohn respectively, beat out a total of over 200 teams to finish in the top 10 for the entire country.

Photos by Ross Kohl
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