"'GenCyber' Bootcamp Aimed At Building Next Generation of Cybersecurity Pros"

Richmond-area middle and high school students could be on their way to a career in cybersecurity thanks to the first Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) GenCyber Cybersecurity Summer Bootcamp, held July 25-29, 2022, by the VCU College of Engineering and VCU Cybersecurity Center. GenCyber is a National Security Agency (NSA)-funded nationwide initiative with over 70 locations across the US. It aims to provide summer cybersecurity camp experiences for students in grades K-12, as well as to raise cybersecurity awareness, introduce cybersecurity career opportunities, and increase student diversity in cybersecurity colleges. VCU was chosen as a 2022 location and welcomed Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) students interested in computers and cybersecurity. Hands-on exercises, cyber board games, and a tour of VCU cybersecurity facilities were all part of the experience. One of the activities involved a Raspberry Pi, which is a low-cost, credit-card-sized computer that plugs into a monitor or TV and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. Each camper received their own Raspberry Pi to use during camp activities and to keep afterward. Participants heard from speakers from industry, government, and academia throughout the week, including an Algorithm Software Engineer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Director of Cybersecurity at Capital One, a tech leader at Ferguson Enterprises, and a Cyber Warrior from the US Army. VCU GenCyber participants left with a better understanding of the cybersecurity profession and what it takes to stay safe online in 2022, from password security to social media. This article continues to discuss the activities and success of the first VCU GenCyber Cybersecurity Summer Bootcamp.  

VCU reports"'GenCyber' Bootcamp Aimed At Building Next Generation of Cybersecurity Pros"