Nevada to Offer Cybersecurity Challenge to High School Girls

Nevada to Offer Cybersecurity Challenge to High School Girls

Nevada launches programs for high school girls to find careers in cybersecurity.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • January 22, 2018

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval announced the launch of GirlsGoCyberState, an innovative opportunity for young women attending high school in Nevada to discover their talents in cybersecurity and learn about careers in the field through a no-cost online game called CyberStart.

“The new Nevada economy is innovation and technology-based, and every industry requires talented cyber security professionals. I’m excited to offer this opportunity for young ladies in the Silver State to explore the world of cyber security,” Governor Sandoval said.

Nevada was one of seven states that piloted CyberStart last summer. The program is designed to inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals while helping youth find out if a career in the cybersecurity industry is right for them.

Of more than 3,500 student who participated in the pilot nationwide, the top scorer was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno. Unfortunately, only five percent of the students who participated were young women.

Now, Nevada and other states are partnering to launch a program specifically for young women in high school.

All high school girls in grades 9 through 12 are invited to play. All that is required is a computer and an internet connection, no previous knowledge of cybersecurity is needed.

Each player or team starts as a "cyber protection agent" responsible for protecting an important operational base. The student then chooses and solves challenges, earning points along the way.

Young women in high school in Nevada who excel in the GirlsGoCyberStart challenge will have the chance to win computers and other prizes as well as a trip, with a parent, to the 2018 Women in Cyber Security Conference in Chicago. The three schools in Nevada that have the most participants will win awards of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • How Cloud Security Solutions Are Transforming Campus Safety

    Campus administrators today face a challenging mandate: deliver stronger security across their facilities while working within tighter budget constraints. From school districts focused on student safety to hospitals protecting patients and staff, the question remains the same: how do you build security infrastructure that evolves with your needs without requiring massive capital investments? Read Now

  • 77% of Americans Support Gun Detection Technology in Schools, Workplaces, and Houses of Worship

    More than three-quarters of Americans (77.4%) believe gun detection technology should be deployed in schools, workplaces, and other public spaces, according to new survey data released recently. The national survey shows strong support for incorporating camera-based gun detection into existing video surveillance systems. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

Most   Popular