Bridging the Gap between Cyber Security and Mississippi’s Youth

Photo By 2nd Lt. Jarvis Mace | GenCyber JROTC Camp participants learn more about cyber security during a class at the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, located at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, July 13, 2022. This summer, the Mississippi National Guard Cyber Operations Team hosted GenCyber, a program that provides cybersecurity experiences for students and teachers at the secondary level. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Cdt. Jarvis Mace)  

CAMP SHELBY, MS, UNITED STATES

07.15.2022

Story by Officer Candidate Jarvis Mace 

102d Public Affairs Detachment

The world we live in is growing quickly in technology. It has become a day-to-day necessity of our lives, providing entertainment, banking, and even education. What happens when either foreign or domestic adversaries jeopardize technology? Cyber security is now more critical than ever and must be taught to all, starting with the younger generation born into the digital world.

This summer, the Mississippi Army National Guard's Cyber Security Team, one of the newest units to the team, will help bring awareness of cyber security to young students by hosting GenCyber. The GenCyber program, which the National Security Agency funds, provides cybersecurity experiences for students and teachers at the secondary level by Igniting, sustaining, and increasing awareness of K-12 cybersecurity content and cybersecurity postsecondary and career opportunities for participants through year-round engagement.

The GenCyber program strives to be a part of the solution to the Nation’s shortfall of skilled cybersecurity professionals. Ensuring that enough young people are inspired to utilize their talents in cybersecurity is critical to the future of our country’s national and economic security as we become even more reliant on cyber-based technology in every aspect of our daily lives.

Soldiers of the 178th Cyber Protection Team attended sessions at The Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Center to provide a fun yet educational experience for JROTC students attending the camp.

“It starts at this level,” Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kevin Carwyle, a cyber-operations technician with the 178th CPT explains. “We have a huge gap to close, and in the next few years, we have to continue our knowledge to protect our networks and data.”

Carwyle and the rest of his team expect their classes to create a pipeline of cyber security professionals by reaching out to the youth.

The partnership between the University of Southern Mississippi and the MSARNG assisted in bringing GenCyber so students can expand their computing and cyber awareness as well as their military knowledge.

“We are excited to host GenCyber here at USM, partnering with Camp Shelby and Keesler Air Force Base,” said Camp Director Dr. Sarah Lee. “We think that providing an opportunity that exposes students to what they can do in the military and civilian world with cyber security is very beneficial.”

GenCyber will continue July 17-22 for students interested in having a career in cyber security.
(U.S. Army National Guard story by Cdt. Jarvis Mace)

• Date Taken: 07.15.2022
• Date Posted: 07.19.2022 10:08
• Story ID: 425076
• Location: CAMP SHELBY, MS, US