More than 200 middle school girls learn about cybersecurity at CSUSB GenCyber camp

In partnership with the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council, Cal State San Bernardino hosted its fourth GenCyber summer camp, a cybersecurity-focused, weeklong camp for middle school girls in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, from June 17-21.

This year, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council recruited 250 girls, specifically partnering with underserved schools in the community.

The camp featured activities led by CSUSB faculty and students as well as cyber industry professionals from companies such as Facebook, Google, IBM, Bank of America, Red Hat, Northrup Grumman and the Department of Homeland Security.

“The girls learn safe online behavior, how to be good citizens, and are introduced to careers in the cybersecurity field,” the CSUSB Cybersecurity Center website reads.

The participants learned how to fly and hack drones, solve cyber forensic cases, code and network. They also learned online safe practices with social media and participated in an escape room and the university’s ropes course.

“Our vision is for the GenCyber program to be part of the solution to the nation’s shortfall of skilled cybersecurity professionals,” the GenCyber website reads. “Ensuring that enough young people are inspired to direct their talents in this area is critical to the future of our country’s national and economic security as we become even more reliant on cyber-based technology in every aspect of our daily lives.”

The GenCyber camp is funded jointly by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation. A total of 122 GenCyber camps are scheduled across the nation for summer 2019. Visit the GenCyber website to learn more about the program.

Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council, established in 1968, serves more than 10,000 girls in Riverside and San Bernardino counties with 5,000 adult volunteers. To learn more, visit the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council website.

Visit the CSUSB Cybersecurity Center website to learn more about the GenCyber camp and its other programs.