Starting in January, cybersecurity students at Allamakee Community School District (CSD) will learn from a lineup of industry professionals coordinated by the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) on the topics of technology, coding, cybersecurity, and careers.
It’s a spin-off to ICN’s Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council (SYBAC) program, Allamakee CSD’s Curriculum Director, Kelli Olson, will have her entire cybersecurity class interact directly with industry professionals.
The virtual lineup of experts will meet monthly with the students, who include representatives of the ICN, ProCircular, Fortinet, the Waterloo Career Center, and more.
“ICN is fortunate to have great relationships within the technology industry that understand the importance of sharing first-hand knowledge with students interested in technology and cyber fields,” said Lori Larsen, ICN’s Public Information Officer.
Olson reached out to ICN because of the importance for her students to connect with professionals who can share real-world perspectives on technology and its uses. This chance gives her students the opportunity to connect with experts and see how the concepts they learn in class are applied in real-world situations.
Olson hopes her students will gain additional skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the ever-evolving tech industry. “Beyond technical skills, I hope they build confidence in communicating with professionals to develop effective communication skills,” said Olson.
During the semester, the students will complete the Fortinet fundamentals security training, which is free online. They will gain a better understanding of cybersecurity terms, discover the growing threat landscape we face today, and explore common network security concepts.
Olson explains that the training emphasizes the importance of security in today’s digital age, a critical topic for students’ personal and professional futures. “It’s not just the information, but it also gives students the chance to engage with tools and techniques they might encounter in real-world cybersecurity scenarios.”
ICN is excited to collaborate with Allamakee CSD to offer this opportunity to their students. We're eager to share more from our SYBAC program, especially since this marks the 10th year that ICN has been managing the larger SYBAC group. Since its launch in the 2015/2016 school year, the program has focused on educating high school students and linking them with industry professionals, and we continue to uphold this important mission today.