KU Engineering to host cybersecurity summer camp

LAWRENCE — A two-day camp in early August at the University of Kansas School of Engineering aims to improve cybersecurity teaching methods for K-12 educators. Organizers hope those attending the GenCyber Summer Camp, hosted Aug. 9-10 at Eaton Hall, will then pass their knowledge along to students and inspire an increased interest and awareness of cybersecurity issues.

KU is one of approximately 100 schools this summer hosting a GenCyber camp, sponsored by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation. KU is participating as part of a $4.7 million, five-year NSF CyberCorps Scholarship for Service Program grant awarded in January with a goal of supporting undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity.

“This camp will highlight cybersecurity issues to the community, introduce educational opportunities and stimulate public awareness,” said Bo Luo, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science, who leads KU’s CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program. “The long-term goal is to change people’s security and privacy perceptions and improve their security behaviors in daily life.”

The camp will feature lectures and demonstrations on key principles of computer security and is highlighted by a cybersecurity competition, which can serve as a blueprint that teachers can take back to their respective classrooms and conduct their own competitions to help their students.

The goal is for this camp and the overall CyberCorps program to lead more young people to pursue cybersecurity as a career choice.

“This 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,” Luo said.

KU has space for up to 30 educators and expects to draw from Kansas, the Greater Kansas City area and neighboring states. Click here for more details and to register.