Minnesota High School Student Cyber Competition Opportunity

Feb. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- Thirty schools expected to compete in the 7-week security competition
sponsored by Advance IT Minnesota and the Minnesota Cybersecurity Careers Consortium

Advance IT Minnesota contact:    
Sharon Boerbon Hanson
Associate Executive Director
Sharon.Hanson@metrostate.edu
612-659-7227
www.advanceitmn.org

CYBER FOUNDATIONS COMPETITION  
Cybersecurity challenge for high school students


Cybersecurity is one of the most exciting, challenging and financially rewarding careers available to young people today.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics projects there will be over 155,000 job openings for individuals with these important skills between now and 2018; the 2nd fastest job growth rate in the United States.

How do we help students develop the level of awareness, interest and preparation needed to pursue this opportunity and fill urgently needed roles in our economy and national defense? According to recent research and reports, the answer lies in providing opportunities that get students engaged in actual career-related activities, particularly gaming.  We throw in a little competitive juice for good measure.

The US Cyber Foundations competition is all about student success.  According to SANS (www.sans.org) the creator of the competition in partnership with US Cyber Challenge (www.uscyberchallenge.org): "Cyber Foundations is the most effective STEM competition other than the FIRST robotics programs. Kids who participate get excited, spend time, and gain a lot of valuable knowledge.  The program does not require significant extra effort by educators, but educators can greatly improve the success of their students if they choose to participate."

Advance IT Minnesota along with an emerging business partnership known as the Minnesota Cybersecurity Careers Consortium are sponsoring schools to compete in this event at no cost.   Schools need to register by February 15, 2011.  “Practice” begins on February 21, with the first of three challenges on March 4, 2011.  School contacts can learn more and register at:
ia.advanceitmn.org/cyberfoundations

Advance IT Minnesota is a Center of Excellence within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities hosted by Metropolitan State University.  The Center works to increase the concentration of IT employment in Minnesota by partnering with the IT industry, educators and learners to develop a more robust IT workforce in the state.  The Cyber Foundations competition is one of several activities designed to promote IT career awareness, interest and readiness.

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The Center’s mission is to collaborate with industry, workforce agencies, and education to create and deliver IT expertise to ensure career and business success. The vision is to make Minnesota a top ten IT arena for IT.