Campaign to find cyber security experts 'child' of NSA

The US National Security Agency (NSA) is implementing a program to search for "next generation" network experts called GenCyber. The program received great attention from young people aged 11 to 18. It is worth noting that there are quite a few female candidates to register for the program.

GenCyber ​​- Program to find small network professionals

"NSA-style" summer camp

GenCyber is the NSA collaboration program with the National Science Foundation (NSF), which was launched during the summer, encouraging girls and teenagers across the United States to participate. Applying for the program, members will be taught about security in the digital world and some lessons for NSA employees in the future.

The GenCyber ​​program encourages children from 11 to 18 years old to participate.

"GenCyber ​​is built on indicators of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The program allows us to analyze and assess the capacity of participants through the data system. detailed assessment, creativity as well as passion for cyber security , " Victor Piotrowski, curator of NSF CyberCorps, told the DW reporter (Germany).

GenCyber ​​began piloting with 6 summer camps in 2014 and in the summer of 2015 there were 43 summer camps opened in universities across 18 states of the United States. In an interview with the New York Times, Steven LaFountain, GenCyber's director said that, under the plan, the program will expand to 200 summer camps across 50 US states by 2020. According to Steven LaFountain, industry Network security is expected to increase in the coming years and current forces cannot meet development needs.

GenCyber's director said there are quite a few people signing up for the program."There are many criteria to choose candidates, but in my experience, the participants must have a good record in math, science and their passion for computers," said Steven LaFountain. Those who choose to join GenCyber ​​program will not have to pay any tuition fees. This is in stark contrast to other programming classes. At iD Tech Camps - a program organized by private companies with tens of thousands of summer camps each year, students must pay tuition fees from 749 to 1079 USD / week.

Next generation network security specialist

A class in the GenCyber ​​program at Dakota State University.

The use of programs such as GenCyber through which to discover and train employees is a widespread activity in the US intelligence community. According to information posted on the official website of the program, one of GenCyber's main goals is to ensure young people know how to behave safely in cyberspace. They will be trained in skills to act as a network security expert as well as a hacker's job. Clifford Neuman, director of the Center for Computer Security at the University of Southern California, said that knowledge of network security systems protection as well as breaking it is very important.

GenCyber ​​also aims to encourage women's participation in cyber security. Piotrowski said that the number of women participating in the program increased sharply in 2015 is a great victory."We are particularly pleased with the participation of women in summer camps: more than 50% of the 1,400 participants are women, meanwhile, according to statistics in 2014, only 12% of women are active. in cyber security , " said Piotrowski.

Lawyer Brett Max Kaufman said: " There is no problem with NSA's GenCyber ​​program." However, he believes, if NSA uses GenCyber ​​to recruit children, they are losing the battle for the hearts and minds of American youth. Mr. Kaufman added that any program that NSA organizes should invite experts to talk about the NSA's legal and ethical issues.