Training future cybersecurity experts
High school students in NSW will benefit from a cybersecurity course that is rolling out across the state.
The course was developed collaboratively by the NSW Department of Education, industry and Cyber Security NSW, and is designed to provide students with an immersive experience under the 2021 NSW Cyber Security Strategy.
“From learning the fundamentals of cybersecurity and its important impact on day-to-day life to building hardware and gaining hands-on experience with coding, we are preparing our students for future careers in cyber,” said Victor Dominello, Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government.
“Cyber Security NSW has played an important role in developing the learning programs and resources which will be used in the delivery of the cybersecurity topic in NSW classrooms.
“Whether it is learning how data is sent from one device to another, how cyber technology is used in cities and regions, or understanding the importance cybersecurity has across different parts of people’s lives — as technology grows and evolves, it is important we give students the skills they need for a digital world.”
Cyber Security NSW has also invested in the development of Cyber City — a complete, open-source platform to help teachers deliver the new cybersecurity curriculum, including the new iSTEM Cyber Security specialised topic.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said iSTEM is a student-centred elective that integrates science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“Cyber City gives teachers the tools to create relevant and engaging lessons for students. This is teaching skills beyond just awareness, empowering the future cybersecurity workforce of Australia,” she said.
“Through hands-on learning and simulations, students will build, maintain and automate essential infrastructures such as hydro dams, power grids or satellite telecommunications on a smart city network in the classroom.
“We want to show our students that cybersecurity is more than inputting code in a computer; in fact, 60% of the industry are not coders.”
The Cyber City program is being piloted and will be ready for release in 2023.
Educators are invited to register their interest to participate or integrate the cybersecurity learning experiences in their classrooms from 2023.
Gloss