Communications of the ACM

The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is hosting a free girls GenCyber security camp this summer. The program is funded by the National Security Agency (NSA) GenCyber Program, which pays tuition and registration fees for the participants.  

The goal of the NSA's GenCyber program is to inspire the next generation of cyber workers, helping young people direct their talents toward cybersecurity careers that are critical to national security.   

The program also aims to increase diversity in the tech sector, an industry where women are underrepresented. The GenCyber Girls Camp at SD Mines seeks to inspire young women interested in careers in computer programming, cybersecurity and robotics. 

Information technology and cybersecurity has been identified as one of the five industry sectors with the highest potential in South Dakota. The GenCyber camp at SD Mines is in alignment with state and national interests and helps build a strong workforce for economic development. 

The SD Mines GenCyber Girls Camp features a collaboration with Black Hills Information Security (BHIS), a company focused on customized testing of security systems. Officials from BHIS will be involved in enhancing the curriculum alongside professors in Mines' Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. 

"Our future security is dependent on empowering young people to acquire and master these skills," says SD Mines president Jim Rankin. "We are proud to offer this camp at SD Mines and are excited to work with the next generation of young women who are interested in careers in cybersecurity," he says. "We want to thank the NSA alongside our corporate sponsors, BHIS and others, who are key in the success of this program."

The SD Mines GenCyber Girls Camp takes place June 24-29, and is open to girls entering grades 8-11 in the fall of 2018. The week-long camp is free to accepted students, but the program does not cover the cost of travel. 

Those interested in attending the GenCyber Girls Camp can find more information here.