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GenCyber Space Camp 2021 Event Information

About GenCyber Space Camp 

Named the GenCyber Space Camp (GSC), students will get an experience of a lifetime learning about cutting-edge cybersecurity issues as well as get exposure to university life at large. Through the federally funded GenCyber educational program, Cal Poly, the California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI), and the Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) will provide a virtual, weeklong camp for high school students focused on the convergence of Cybersecurity and the Space Industry. The camp will also include four pre-game nights leading up to the week of instruction and will end with an optional, in-person culminating experience at VAFB. Participants for this camp will predominantly be from California, acquired through Cal Poly “partner schools”, high schools in which most of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch, to ensure a diverse set of campers. 

GSC will use GenCyber Concepts (GCC) as a framework for cybersecurity education and engagement and will conduct virtually immersive exercises to apply the GCC’s within coordinated virtual lab exercises related to satellite communication and space infrastructure. Lessons include instruction on digital identity, web security, wireless communications, spacecraft security, and digital citizenship. Students will be hacking passwords, compromising mock satellites, performing digital capture-the-flags as well as solve a mock digital crime involving a launch station. Students will also have the opportunity to tour VAFB and related Space components.  

In addition, GSC will be held in conjunction with another event provided by CCI: The California Cyber Innovation Challenge (CCIC) hosted by AeroSpace Village at DEFCON. DEFCON is the world’s premier cybersecurity and hacker convention. The CCIC will feature virtually immersive challenges reflecting real-world crimes. Take a look at last year's competition: CCIC 2020

About GenCyber

GenCyber is a national-level, federally funded program of the National Security Agency and National Science Foundation. GenCyber's mission is to grow the number of students studying cybersecurity in the United States. The program includes summer camps across the nation designed for elementary, middle, and high school students, and teachers. The camps focus on engaging the learners with sound cybersecurity principles and teaching techniques. The GenCyber program operates on 3 primary goals; to increase interest in cybersecurity careers and diversity in the cybersecurity workforce of the Nation; to help all students understand correct and safe online behavior; to improve teaching methods for delivering cybersecurity content for K-12 programs.

About Cal Poly 

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university that prides itself on the individual success of its students. Located in San Luis Obispo on California’s sunny Central Coast, Cal Poly offers its students an unparalleled blend of academics and statewide industry connections. Cal Poly is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s best values for graduates' return on investment. Cal Poly is driven by its core philosophy of Learn by Doing—a powerful combination of academic expertise and hands-on experience. At Cal Poly, professors in small classrooms and laboratories, not packed lecture halls, teach most classes. From their first moments on campus, students are challenged to put what they learn into practice in real-world settings. Cybersecurity education at Cal Poly has a long history that includes support from industry partners. Our Northrup Grumman Cyber Lab provides thousands of teaching hours annually to students interested in software development. Cybersecurity has become one of the most sought-after specialties in the computing majors and our students’ White Hat cybersecurity club is flourishing. Cal Poly professors, including Dr. Hummel and Dr. Oliver, will be the instructors for parts of the GenCyber student camp.

About CCI 

As cyberattacks continue to increase dramatically in sophistication and volume, the US finds itself with less than half the trained cybersecurity professionals needed. This severe shortage is a national security crisis and represents a significant threat to California, the worlds’ fifth-largest economy and the epicenter of digitalization and tech innovation. Cal Poly California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI) leads a state and national initiative to address this challenge. By bringing together the tech community, government agencies, and educational institutions, CCI is enhancing California’s cybersecurity defense capability. Through education, workforce development, and applied research, CCI works to build a skilled and innovative cyber workforce capable of navigating today’s complex threat landscape. By training a new generation of cybersecurity experts in the latest tools and techniques, this initiative is helping to protect data, computer systems, and critical infrastructure.

About Vandenberg Space Force Base

Vandenberg SFB is a Space Command base in Lompoc, California, that provides support for the Western Range and testing sites for Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. Vandenberg’s mission is to enable space superiority through assured access to space by providing robust, relevant, and efficient spaceport and range capabilities for the nation. With only two locations in the US that are capable of launching missiles, rockets, or satellites, Vandenberg has unique cybersecurity responsibilities. It trains Space Systems Operations Specialists and gives them hands-on experience with everything from detecting sea-launched ballistic missiles and tracking satellites to assisting in rocket launches and space flight operations. Cybersecurity is a priority for all missions and protecting these assets on a cyberspace domain is no small feat.