Last Thursday, as the nation learned hackers caused a massive data breach of millions of federal workers, Warwick Area Career and Technical Center students participated in a cyber security workshop. Technology and cyber security specialists hosted a presentation demonstrating the basics of cyber security and its importance.

The cyber terrorism program manager from the RI State Police, Meghan Martinez, and two sergeants from the Air National Guard explained to the high school students various real world experiences with cyber security and the many opportunities students have to pursue a career in the profession.

Doug White, director of networking and cyber security at Roger Williams University, said whether it is in the private sector, law enforcement or even in the military, experts in the field are needed across the nation. White described in depth the tools and methods students would need to protect a personal computer from cyber attacks and all of the basics of cyber defenses. Drawing from his 30 years of experience in technology, White outlined his real world experiences from being a programmer and security specialist and dealing with cyber attacks.

White described how cyber threats such as identity theft, phishing scams and other types of computer hacking are becoming more sophisticated and more complicated. Students were able to see firsthand the realities of cyber attacks when White demonstrated a simulated cyber attack in the computer lab. In the interactive demonstration, students learned the basics of protecting against attacks, configuring firewalls and how to properly identify and block attacks.

Discussing the importance of cyber security in modern society White commented, “It’s critical. It’s something that impacts everyone, not just tech people…Everyone’s got a cell phone, all those are vulnerable. So cyber security has now just pervaded everything from our cars to our televisions to our phones.” The federal government is currently dealing with breaches in their own cyber security departments, as unknown hackers were able to expose personal information of four million federal workers.

White and Martinez ended the presentation by giving students advice and answering questions on how they can enter the field. They explained what certifications they should pursue, various internships and discussed the many opportunities there are for jobs in this profession.

Jeff Joutras, a student commented, “As a CISCO [an American multi-national technology company] program there is a lot of stuff that we go over beforehand. This was more so going in depth and actually what’s going to happen in the real world. Here we do labs and get a gist of things, where this is more security-wise, what’s actually going to happen and what attacks are likely to go on.”

CISCO student, Dave Deasley said, “I thought it was very informative. I learned some new things that I didn’t know before about whitelisting [lists of email addresses that are given clearance] and blacklisting.”

Martinez described how presentations like this are all in an effort to do more with students in high schools and in colleges to get them involved at an early age with cyber security. These presentations, along with programs like CyberPatriot, a National Youth Cyber Education Program that some Toll Gate students are involved in, help educate students for careers in technology and cyber security.

William McCaffrey, director of the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center, said, “Ms. Charette is very dedicated and her students are highly motivated. I truly appreciate the commitment from the private sector, from the state police, and from the National Guard to help support for a career in technical education and preparing kids for the future.”

Congressman Langevin, a huge supporter of cyber security and co-founder of the Congressional Cyber Security Caucus, commented, “Strong cyber defenses are essential for businesses, the public sector and our national security apparatus, and this requires a well-trained cyber security workforce….I am encouraged to see a growing awareness in Rhode Island of cyber security, and I am grateful to the staff at Toll Gate for highlighting this potential career path for students.”