An Introduction to the Cyber World as a Communicator
By Ben Tullis, ICN Marketing Intern
Cyber organizations across Iowa are working hard to introduce young Iowans to careers in Cybersecurity. In my experience as a communications intern for the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), I have participated in numerous educational opportunities that have continued to develop my understanding of a career in engineering-based communications.
To start my internship with the ICN and an orientation to cyber infrastructure, I was given tours of data control centers and access to maps and diagrams to learn about the ICN's collective operations in providing internet services. Within these walkthroughs, I learned how the internet was provided and monitored across large geographical areas. I also learned many essential terms such as broadband, middle mile, fiber, ISP (internet service provider), collocation and many more.
Now that I had an understanding of the components within network highways, I was ready to learn about the internet protocols that traffic and protect online data. To do so, I completed an online, self-paced "Fortinet certification" that introduced basic internet vocabulary and their procedures. The lessons within Fortinet helped me feel confident discussing basic cybersecurity concepts, which proved essential when I attended a Youth Cyber Summit on October 29.
On October 29, high school students from all over Iowa and I gathered at the Youth Cyber Summit, hosted by The Iowa Cyber Hub, at Iowa State University's Alumni Center. During my visit to the Youth Cyber Summit, I became aware of my own limitations as the Summit invited us, the students, to participate in interactive cyber displays. Initially, I felt the need to sit in the back while the tech experts demonstrated their knowledge for the activities. However, I quickly realized that I was very capable of taking direction due to my Fortinet Training. I did well on the internet trivia challenge, thanks to the historical lessons from Fortinet.
We rotated through a variety of hands-on activities, ranging from beginner-friendly exercises to advanced challenges, including…
- Cyber word searches
- Hacking challenges and phishing detections
- Digital forensics walkthroughs
- Lock picking and mini capture the flag
- Password cracking demonstrations
Following the interactive component of the Youth Cyber Summit, a speaker's panel took up the second half of the afternoon. Within the panel, State government officials and Iowa State University's Cyber Professors, Alumni, and Staff took the floor to share their perspectives and experiences within the cyber sphere. We learned how to protect our data more effectively and about the role that data protection plays in maintaining brand integrity, a venture that I had not considered, even with my public relations background. We students then had the opportunity to ask questions about cyber careers, learn from successful individuals, and receive practical tips to apply to our own lives.
With my background in Public Relations and Sustainability, my goals of learning the fundamentals of the cyber industry helped me feel more prepared to communicate technical ideas from an engineering perspective. My excitement in joining the cyber conversation was able to grow as more cyber talk awaited me within ICN’s "Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council" (SYBAC). The council, provided by the ICN, meets monthly for peer conversations and professional think tanks, allowing the high school students of Iowa to join the discussion on the state of broadband and Cybersecurity inside and outside of Iowa.
As an intern helping organize SYBAC, I’ve also been able to participate in discussions alongside the students - and like the other students, I have been able to incorporate my own takeaways into the lessons, ask questions, and engage in conversations about polarizing issues in technology.
As I become increasingly aware of the expansive nature of the cyber career path, I will always consider the constantly evolving processes that technology and the internet facilitate when joining more cyber conversations. I'm glad that I've been able to join the Iowa Communications Network on my educational journey as a communications-based cyber student, starting a career where I can communicate engineering-based principles.