Maryland Launches “NSA Day of Cyber” School Challenge

The Maryland State Department of Education has announced the launch of the Maryland “NSA Day of Cyber” School Challenge, a free, online program that allows students to experience a day in the life of the nation’s top cybersecurity experts – in just three hours. The program enables students to take a seat beside the NSA Cyber Threat Director and test drive a day in the life of six NSA cyber professionals.

According to a press release:

Thousands of open and unfilled cybersecurity jobs are present in Maryland and across the country. The demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing twelve times faster than the overall job market. The NSA Day of Cyber School Challenge is a way for Maryland to help prepare students for the rewarding and impactful careers in this high-demand field.

WHEN: November 7, 2017- February 28, 2018

A kick-off event will be held Tuesday, November 7 from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm at the Universities Space Research Association, 7178 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, Maryland 21046.

HOW IT WORKS: The challenge will kick-off on November 7, 2017 with the Maryland STEM Festival’s Night of Cybersecurity and will culminate on February 28, 2018. Educators from across the state are encouraged to select a day during that time period to run the NSA Day of Cyber experience. The program can be utilized in a classroom setting or educators can choose to have students participate at home. No teacher training is required and students only need a computer with internet access.

The schools and teachers with the highest student participation in the program will be recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education. The schools with the highest student participation will be based on the number of students who have completed the introductory portion of the NSA Day of Cyber platform and have generated their “Cyber Resume.”

Helpful Tips for running the NSA Day of Cyber in the classroom are available in the Instructor Resource Guide found on the NSA Day of Cyber website, https://www.nsadayofcyber.com/.

Schools can register for the Maryland Day of Cyber School Challenge by using the following link: http://bit.ly/MDDayofCyberChallenge.