Air Force, Air & Space Force Association Collaborate to Promote Cybersecurity

Airmen from the 75th Communications and Information Directorate recently participated in the Air & Space Force Association’s Cyber Patriot Program, an initiative designed to introduce the cybersecurity profession to students.

Master Sgt. Jarred Dirito, Airman 1st Class Kaeli Schiff and Senior Airman Rafael Morales were among the airmen from Hill Air Force Base who have been in touch with students, exposing them to the basics of cybersecurity and computer networking. 

Open to K-12 students, the program also features a national competition that pits all young individuals interested in cybersecurity and other STEM disciplines to secure simulated virtual networks, DVIDS reported.

With the growing threat of cyberattacks, government and industry executives have been focused on ensuring that the next generation has a batch of capable cyber professionals. In an article, Tim Boltz, an education market program executive at Carahsoft, said that integrating cybersecurity into school curricula can help enhance national security and people’s experiences online.

The government has also launched several initiatives to promote cyber posture. In February, the Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response and the Argonne National Laboratory launched an inaugural competition, providing students with a chance to develop their cyber skills.