Building Cybersecurity Pathways in Schools: Lessons from the Front Lines

Cybersecurity is more than just a buzzword; it's a fast-growing field offering students across the country a path to high-demand careers. In a recent panel discussion for Cybersecurity Month, education leaders from across the US shared insights on how they have successfully launched and sustained high school cybersecurity programs. Here are some of their key lessons for any school district looking to help students build skills for the digital future. 

Starting a cybersecurity program isn’t just about adding the latest tech course. You also need a long-term vision, collaboration with industry, and a practical plan. Paul Gatz of Western Maricopa Education Center near Phoenix, AZ, explained, “Ten years ago, when I started building this program…I was starting to notice is that out in industry, we were really starting to lack qualified people.” Filling this gap became a core component of his program. 

For districts that draw from both suburban and rural schools, a strong advisory board is essential. “We have what we call advisory committees, where we have industry people come in and tell us what's trending,” said Matt Ellis of Tolles Career and Technical Center in Columbus, OH. These corporate partnerships help programs stay relevant and open doors for internships that let students build real-world experience. 

For all students, building from a strong foundation is a must. Ensuring that they understand the fundamentals of programming, networking, operating systems, etc, before layering on the cybersecurity components makes for more successful outcomes all around. Additionally, Gatz is “looking for that student who has those problem-solving skills and the ability to think outside the box and on their own. And so those are skills necessary if you really want to dive deep into the cybersecurity landscape.”  

Designing flexible, engaging programs 

As Ellis puts it, “Welcome to cybersecurity. It's all about being a lifetime learner.” Schools must be ready to adapt not only to changes in technology but also to the needs of employers, students, and even school cultures. Both Gatz and Ellis agree that being flexible and making changes whenever needed are cornerstones to success, with Gatz explaining, “It's pretty much every summer that something's going to change going into the next year. So, we always have to readapt and switch things up.” 

Both Ellis and Gatz spoke about the value of hands-on learning and industry-recognized certifications. Gatz described his step-by-step approach: “First semester [is CompTIA] Tech+ and A+, our second semester is operating systems…third semester is Networking…our fourth semester is our security semester, and we do Security+ and PenTest+ to close out the program.” Meanwhile, Ellis has adjusted his program to focus on getting students ready for their Security+ certification in their first year, followed by A+ or Network+ in the second. 

Whatever pathway your program is following, student engagement is paramount. “Engagement’s more important than content. Once you come to that realization for an elective high school, then you’re going to really start realizing that you can still do the content, but if they’re not engaged, they’re not going to learn anything,” Ellis shared. 

Overcoming obstacles: trust, resources, and measuring success 

Launching a cybersecurity program at the high school level comes with challenges: finding qualified instructors, building trust with the school’s IT department, and ensuring student engagement. As Gatz put it, “One of the big obstacles is the relationship with your local IT department. Most are going to be a little nervous when you add a cybersecurity program… but as you get students certified and through the program, that trust builds.” 

Both panelists emphasized the importance of using the resources you have, whether that means state-of-the-art machines or hand-me-down equipment. For Gatz, “Having as much hands-on pieces as you can is important," and even "garbage" equipment provides valuable troubleshooting and repair experience, according to Ellis. 

The final measure of a successful program goes beyond mastery of technical skills to also include professional and personal growth of students. “Are you building good humans? What are you doing for professional development, like for professional skills?” Gatz reflected. Teamwork, leadership skills, accountability, and other soft skills are critical to help students build a successful future.

Ready to enhance your own Cybersecurity program? Listen to the full webinar for additional insights.