Teaching a One-Time University Cybersecurity Class
Hi everyone! I want to share some background about an exciting opportunity I have. I’ll be teaching a two-hour cybersecurity class for a group of university students who are considering enrolling in the cybersecurity degree program. They’re eager to learn more about the field, potential career paths, and what the course entails. It’s a smaller group since most students interested in cybersecurity have already made their choice.
Here’s my planned schedule:
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20 mins: Introduction to Cybersecurity, myself, and my role as the Director of Cybersecurity (Presentation)
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40 mins: Interactive exercise (I’m open to suggestions for this segment)
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20 mins: The future of Cybersecurity and career opportunities (Presentation)
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20 mins: Another interactive activity (Also looking for ideas here)
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20 mins: Q&A session
Just a bit about me: I’m 22, so I might be around the same age as some of the students, or even younger than a few of them. I’ve been working in cybersecurity for most of my career, although my path has been a bit unconventional. In two years, I may have the chance to become a tenure-track cybersecurity professor at the university, and I’m using this class to gauge my interest in that role.
I feel confident about the presentations, but I’m primarily looking for guidance on the interactive portions of the class.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide! The class is next Wednesday, so I have a short timeframe to prepare.
That sounds like an exciting opportunity! Here are some suggestions for your interactive exercises and overall class structure:
For the 40-Minute Interactive Exercise:
Option 1: Cyber Security Scavenger Hunt
– Create a scavenger hunt with cyber security concepts or terms. Divide the students into small groups and give them a list of items or concepts to find based on common cyber threats (e.g., phishing, malware, social engineering, etc.). They’ll have to discuss and present their findings to the class afterward.
Option 2: Threat Modeling Workshop
– Present a fictional scenario (e.g., a company suffers a cyber attack). Have the students work in pairs or small groups to identify potential vulnerabilities, threats, and how they would approach a response. They can present their thoughts at the end.
Option 3: Hands-On Demo
– If possible, set up a simple demonstration on a common tool used in CyberSec (like Wireshark or a vulnerability scanner). Walk the students through how to use it and have them participate in spotting potential issues in a mock environment.
For the 20-Minute Interactive Segment:
Option 1: Career Path Brainstorm
– Lead a discussion where students can break into small groups and brainstorm what careers in CyberSec interest them. Give them prompts, such as “What skills do you think are most important for a penetration tester?” or “What industries do you think are hiring the most CyberSec professionals?” After their discussions, have each group share their thoughts.
Option 2: Alumni Panel Prep
– Prepare a brief video or slides with experiences from a few professionals in CyberSec. After the video, discuss what they liked/disliked about their paths and encourage students to ask questions about different roles.
Option 3: Cyber Security Jeopardy
– Create a Jeopardy game with categories like “Types of Threats,” “Security Best Practices,” “Famous Hacks,” etc. Students can work in teams to answer questions, which keeps it engaging and allows them to learn through competition.
General Tips:
With these interactive components, students will have a more engaging and enjoyable experience! Good luck with your class – it sounds like a fantastic opportunity for you as well!