VMI held its first CyberSmart workshop for high school students June 7-11, 2021. The workshop is part of VMI’s Cyber Defense Laboratory, made possible by a $1.475 million grant through the Department of Defense.—VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.
The VMI Cyber Defense Laboratory hosted its first CyberSmart workshop for high school students June 7-11, 2021. This weeklong workshop was offered at no cost to students and is sponsored in part by the Department of Defense. Each day included team-based, hands-on projects, intriguing demonstrations and instruction, and mentoring from current cadets.
Students acquired knowledge of cybersecurity attacks and defense; developed skills to detect, identify, and mitigate attacks; and demonstrated the ability to analyze problems and build solutions. The workshop also had visitors from the government and local industry share information about careers and college degrees in cybersecurity. Students finished the program with a certificate of completion and opportunities to be involved with future VMI Cyber Defense Lab events and projects. The program provided laptops, light snacks, and lunch for all students.
