2024 GenCyber “Gateway to Cyber” Summer Camp

Goals and Details

• Main Goals

  Increase interest in cybersecurity careers and diversity in the cybersecurity workforce of Massachusetts by …

  • Building and expanding a statewide network of students, teachers, and professional in order to provide mentoring and career pathways from K-12 through to undergraduate training and cybersecurity positions in government and industry,
  • Increasing the number of underrepresented populations, including females, pursuing cybersecurity careers, and
  • Establishing annual GenCyber camps serving the greater central Massachusetts high school population
• Learning Objectives

  GenCyber “Gateway to Cyber” Summer Camp participants will, by the end of the camp experience, be able to:

  • Explain the following GenCyber Cybersecurity Concepts, and how they apply to everyday security situations:
    • Defense in Depth
    • Confidentiality
    • Integrity
    • Availability
    • Think Like an Adversary
    • Keep it Simple
  • Explain fundamental legal, social, and ethical issues concerning cybersecurity
  • Utilize basic cybersecurity tools and techniques to defend against attackers
  • Outline a career path from high-school graduation, through college programs, and into specific cybersecurity careers
  • Work individually and as part of a team in cybersecurity settings
  • Network with cybersecurity professionals and students using online platforms
• Subjects Covered
  • GenCyber Cybersecurity Concepts
    • Multi-factor authentication (Defense in Depth)
    • Cryptographic principles (Confidentiality and Integrity)
    • Drone hacking (Availability)
    • Social engineering and password cracking techniques and defenses (Think like an Adversary)
    • Computer programming (Keep it Simple)
  • Setup & Introduction to the Command Line
  • A Brief History of Hacking, Cybercrime and Ethics
  • Discord, Cybersecurity Clubs, and Professional Cybersecurity Organizations
  • Career Paths in Cybersecurity with leading guest speakers
  • Password Cracking, Strengthening and MFA
  • Vulnerability & Exploit Basics with Drone telemetry
  • Wifi Hacking Capture-the-Flag (CtF) Adventure
  • GenCyberCoin Adventure
  • Development of a personal, security-oriented Linux distribution to facilitate continued learning after the camp
• Application Details

  Eligibility

  • Must be a student entering 10th grade to 12th grade in Massachusetts
  • Be able to participate for the full week of camp in addition to remote pre- and post-camp activities
  • Students from underrepresented groups in cybersecurity (minorities and females) are especially encouraged to apply and will receive priority consideration
  • Student entering grades 11 and 12 will receive priority consideration
  • No previous experience in cybersecurity is necessary

  Requirements

  Each applicant must submit, by June 15, 2024, the following:

  • The online application form (link above)
  • A letter of recommendation from a teacher or a 250-500 word essay explaining why you are interested in attending the camp
  • If selected, a parental consent form will be required. A parental consent form will be sent to the provided parent/guardian’s email address.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.

  Capacity

  Only 40 spots are open for this camp.

  Benefits

  Each GenCyber “Gateway to Cyber” Summer Camp participant will receive:

  • A camp T-shirt
  • Webcam tatoos (spy blocker)
  • USB Flash Drive
  • An opportunity to win Capture-the-Flag competition prizes
  • VPN access to the WiFi Hacking range and GenCyberCoin environment
  • One-on-one engagement opportunities with Assumption University faculty and undergraduate student mentors (including Cyber Club members) to achieve learning objectives
  • Pre/post outreach activities that will prepare you for the camp and help you to remain connected with the faculty, undergraduate student mentors, and the greater cybersecurity workforce community once you return to your high school studies

  Questions should be directed to Raymond Albert (Cybersecurity Program Director and Professor of Practice) at (508) 767-7594.