CU Denver is poised to host its third GenCyber camp, an initiative jointly funded by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), from July 17 to 21, 2024. The virtual weeklong camp will immerse local high school students in various aspects of cybersecurity, including ethical hacking, digital forensics, ethics, computer networking, and exploring cybersecurity careers through hands-on exercises and virtual labs. For more information on the CU Denver GenCyber camp and registration details, please visit CU Denver GenCyber website.

This camp comes at a crucial time as Colorado faces a significant cybersecurity workforce shortage, with the state only able to fill 80% of its cybersecurity job openings as of January 2024, lagging 2% behind the national average, according to CyberSeek.org. Dr. Dincelli, the Program Director of CU Denver GenCyber and faculty in the Business School, emphasizes, “the demand for highly skilled cybersecurity professionals is projected to outpace the available talent pool, posing significant challenges to individual, organizational, and national security.”

Moreover, the cybersecurity field continues to struggle with diversity issues. According to (ISC)², the industry remains predominantly male, and stereotypes have deterred many potential candidates from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Jafarian, the Lead Instructor of CU Denver GenCyber and faculty in the Computer Science and Engineering Department, remarks, “issues of diversity and inclusion that are seen within the field indicate that there is an under-tapped demographic of younger generations available for training and recruitment.”

As Colorado grapples with these challenges, the CU Denver GenCyber camp serves as a pivotal platform to educate and equip a new generation of cyber professionals, fostering a more resilient and inclusive cyber ecosystem. The camp is part of broader national efforts under the GenCyber program to address critical needs for cybersecurity education and workforce development across the United States. Learn more about the national GenCyber program at https://public.cyber.mil/gencyber/.