HSU Educational Foundation’s 2018 CyberCamp offered local students an introduction to the AFA CyberPatriot program through a week long summer camp experience. The AFA CyberCamp program is designed to excite student interest in cybersecurity and STEM career opportunities while teaching them important cyber defense skills through hands-on instruction and activities.
Through the camp, students learned how to protect their personal devices and information from outside threats, as well as how to harden entire networks running Windows 7 and Ubuntu operating systems. The AFA CyberCamp culminated in an exciting final team competition simulating real cybersecurity situations faced by industry professionals and mimicing AFA’s CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition.

The camp was hosted by HSU Educational Foundation the week of June 11th -15th and was sponsored by Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation. Offered at no cost for middle to high school students, the students received invitations to participate by referral from technology instructors at their schools. In total, 22 local students participated in the program. The HSU Foundation invited parents and special guests to attend a graduation program on Friday, June 15th, in order to champion their achievements. Local AFA chapter representatives attended and helped specially recognize the contributions of Air Force mentors with certificates and AFA e-memberships. Camp Sponsor, Intuitive Research and Technology, was recognized for providing professional mentor support and $2,500 for camp sponsorship.

Special guest, Congressman Matt Gaetz attended the ceremony and presented students with their certificates, closing the presentation with remarks to encourage the students to continue pursuit of these types of STEM enrichment opportunities that can help prepare them for careers which are in high demand and are important for strengthening our country.