| Online Cybersecurity Program offers opportunities for Mississippi high school girls.
JACKSON — Governor Tate Reeves and the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security announced today that the innovative cybersecurity training partnership between the SANS Institute and the State of Mississippi, called Girls Go CyberStart, is extending its registration deadline. Girls Go CyberStart is a free online program where every Mississippi high school girl can discover her talents in cybersecurity and learn about the field.
Participants must be at least 13 years old on December 2, 2019 and in grades 9 through 12 at a public or private school or homeschool equivalent. A change this year allows a student to sign-up for the program even if their school does not have a club. Students from Mississippi who excel in the Girls Go CyberStart game will have the opportunity to win prizes including: Dell Chromebooks and Raspberry Pi computers as well as gift certificates.
Each player in Girls Go CyberStart begins as a “cyber protection agent” responsible for protecting an important operational base. The student chooses and solves challenges, earning points along the way. A cyber protection agent field manual provides answers to questions that may arise and hints to help when players get stuck. When the player has solved a sufficient number of challenges at one level, a new level opens up and new challenges appear. Students may participate from home or from school. A sampler set of puzzles are available on the Girls Go CyberStart website.
Registration for this program was originally scheduled to end January 31st but is being extended through Friday, February 14th. There is no cost to the students who compete in this game.
An introductory website with answers to other questions, a detailed description of the game, and sample challenge may be found at: www.girlsgocyberstart.com
Questions regarding the program can be directed to the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security at 601-346-1502. |
