CWU-Sammamish trains Cyber Patriots

"CWU's CyberCamp was engaging, fun, challenging and a prescriptive first step for anyone interested in cyber security as a hobby or even a career," said Dhruv Ashok, a 10th grader from Juanita High School.

Ashok and the other participating students learned about cybersecurity techniques for both Windows and Linux operating systems.

"Educating our youth on the importance of good 'cyber hygiene' is necessary if we're to protecting ourselves and our country from cyber-attacks, or other technological risks, no matter whether they are coming from," said Deborah Wells, CWU ITAM lecturer.

The Air Force Association created CyberPatriot, a National Youth Cyber Education Program, to do just that.

"CyberPatriot is designed to inspire students-in kindergarten through high school-to consider careers in cybersecurity or other STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines critical to the future of our country," said General Paul Nakasone, who heads up US Cyber Command.

While the program provides options for various camps and training curricula, ITAM officials opted to host a Standard Camp in this first year of what will become an annual program, An Advanced Camp, which builds upon the standard training, will be added in coming years.

"CWU-Sammamish is a perfect venue for this program because of its location, close to a number of area high schools, and the fact that it has the infrastructure required to host such a camp," said Robert Lupton, CWU ITAM's chair.

Media contact: Robert Lowery, Department of Public Affairs, director of Radio Services and Integrated Communications, 509-963-1487, Robert.Lowery@cwu.edu

Photo: Nathan White, ITAM professor at podium, and CWU ITAM student Josh Schnell, preparing the CyberPatriot students for a miniature cyber competition day, which ended the camp.