Studer Community Institute

Get ready for CyberThon 2015

January 8, 2015
/ Mollye Barrows
/ training-development

There’s a big demand for cybersecurity experts. In fact, it’s quickly outpacing demand for other IT jobs across the map. Local government and business leaders believe the lucrative field has potential to grow in Northwest Florida and provide good-paying jobs. This month, they’re hosting CyberThon 2015 to help raise awareness and show students the possibilities. It’s being held at the National Flight Academy on Jan. 23-25. “It is a community based effort to display our ability to engage in cyberdefense,” said Escambia Commissioner Doug Underhill, who helped lead the effort to present the CyberThon. “Students from high school and college will be paired with a cybersecurity expert and as a team they’ll be defending virtual networks. Certified ethical hackers will attack networks and youngsters will defend with their expert.” Underhill represents District 2, which includes the Pensacola-Warrington community. Event organizers consider that community the cyberdefense hub for Northwest Florida and the southeastern United States thanks to the heavy military presence. A slew of private and government organizations are working together to launch this one-of-a-kind event. Twenty high school students — two from Catholic High School and 18 from Pine Forest High School’s Cyber Academy program — will spend several days defending against a virtual attack. The Escambia School District identified the students who were chosen to participate. They’ll be partnered with cybersecurity experts and mentors, including computer science students from the University of West Florida. Together they’ll face “real-world” cyberattack scenarios, developed and launched by volunteer military and commercial professionals. “They create a virtual environment for them to defend a network,” said Kathy Denkler, with the Innovation Institute, another organization sponsoring CyberThon’15. The students will be divided into teams, some will be defenders, others defenders, and still others the target. “The students are not hacking. They are not attacking anybody, they’re defending. It’s kind of boring to watch, it’s not like Hollywood,” Denkler says with a laugh, “but it’s great hands-on learning experience in a great field.” Other students and community will be invited to watch the 2 ½ day exercise. They’ll also have a chance to listen to a variety of guest speakers including, Homeland Security experts and the FBI, to talk about why cybercrime is a problem. “The core message is that you are interested in a profession that has no bounds when it comes potential.” said Underhill. “You can get your education here in Escambia County, you can get the job here in Escambia County. Your entire future is right here in this field.” Cyber Information Assurance Analyst Harry Huelsbeck with Northrop Grumman, is one of many volunteers working with students. Born and raised in Pensacola, he’s excited about the opportunities this field represents for students and the community. “As a career path, it has nothing but potential,” said Huelsbeck. “There’s no slowing down. On the federal sector side, funding is geared to cyber space and in the commercial world it’s only getting bigger.” Cybersecurity pays well, too. Salaries average $116,000, and range from $91,000 to $143,000 depending on experience and skill level. “It’s not hard if you’re geared to the right skill set and understand the resources available.” said Huelsbeck. “It’s ordinary people doing ordinary things, they just need to work together.” CyberThon’15 aims to foster awareness and collaboration with all levels of government as well as related businesses and schools. They’re also offering student scholarships. The hope is that the industry will take root here and grow jobs and industry. If you’d like to learn more, you can check out CyberThon 2015 on Facebook or email Kathy Denkle at [email protected].

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Get ready for CyberThon 2015

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