Cybercore Camp introduces students to careers in cybersecurity
As the Idaho National Laboratory works at the forefront of cybersecurity, students across the area are learning tools to introduce them to careers just like those. The College of Eastern Idaho’s third annual Cybercore Camp – Can You Hack It? brought students to the community college campus Friday.
“It’s targeting high school students to teach skills for coding, hacking, ethical hacking and giving them an introduction to all things related to cyber,” said Michelle Holt, the executive director of Workforce Training and Community Education at the College of Eastern Idaho.
Students were able to get and work on their own Raspberry Pi. No, not the dessert. Raspberry Pis are mini computer processors. What each student did with their Raspberry Pi was up to them, like creating video games or programming robots.
Whatever they wanted to create with the Raspberry Pi, they were able to do.
Besides getting creative, the camp was an introduction to cyber careers.
“As we are finding in pretty much a broad scope of areas, but definitely in cyber in our area with expansions with the Idaho National Laboratory, there is a high need for people who have a background and who have at least some knowledge of cybersecurity and cyber awareness,” said Heather Nunmaker, the region employment coordinator for the College of Eastern Idaho.
Although some of these students still have quite some time before making any career decisions, the Cybercore Camp has shown students possibilities.
“It’s interesting to see the ways we can use this,” said 12-year-old Danny Sasser. “Because honestly, in this day and age, the implications of knowing how to use technology are infinite. Almost every single field, there is something to do with computer science.”
Next week is level two of Cybercore Camp for students who are more advanced in cybersecurity at University Place in Idaho Falls.
Cybercore Camp is in cooperation with the University of Idaho, the Idaho National Laboratory and the Idaho STEM Action Center.
