A group of students at Allamakee High School wrapped up their first-year diving into cybersecurity. The Iowa Communications Network (ICN) assisted by introducing a great lineup of industry specialists to the students. Plus, ICN provided free resources that were used all semester long.
Kelli Olson, Allamakee's Curriculum Director, shares that the collaboration opened doors to industry experts and training, making lessons more meaningful. From January to May, ICN lined up virtual speakers each month to offer insights and career tips for the students.
- ICN’s Cyber Lead kicked off the sessions by sharing his thoughts on career options, cybersecurity, and what his daily routine looked like. The highlight was explaining how to keep up with the latest information and trends. Knowing how a system works in normal situations helps people standout.
- Procircular emphasized the importance of the IT fundamentals and explained that everyone's journey is unique. Students were encouraged to explore cybersecurity through certifications and networking with professionals. Additionally, students should participate in tutorials, videos, and labs using free resources.
- The Waterloo Career Center highlighted the demand for cyber professionals using cyberseek.org. Students interacted in a practical hands-on activity using a Linux virtual environment.
- Fortinet shared its role in helping support IT directors in schools by improving their processes and enhancing security. The takeaway was encouraging everyone to stay curious and embrace different perspectives.
- Iowa’s Department of Management, Division of Information Technology (DOM DoIT) wrapped up the semester by highlighting cyber goals and the steps to take if an incident happens. Our guest emphasized partnerships and the need for clear communication about cyber issues. The students learned about starting a career in cybersecurity or IT, the value of internships, and exploring different career paths.
Incorporating Fortinet's Security Training
ICN recommended a free resource for the classroom: Fortinet’s fundamentals security training. All of Olson’s students earned a cybersecurity certificate and gained a better understanding of the cyber landscape. A few students even tested school staff and shared information with parents and clubs.
Olson shared that her students learned a lot about cyber topics they might otherwise not encounter until college or in a job with the Fortinet security training addition. Olson’s interaction with the Fortinet training went beyond the classroom. She spearheaded the submission that successfully added the Fortinet fundamental security training to the Iowa Department of Education’s listing of industry-recognized credentials for the 2025-2026 school year. Olson says, “This is a huge win for Iowa students. It gives learners an edge as they leave high school with a respected credential that validates their skills and demonstrates readiness for postsecondary opportunities.”
The ICN was thrilled to team up with Allamakee to provide this chance for their students. Our goal is to help make the initial connections, so Iowa students can hear first-hand workforce knowledge from industry technology professionals.