The IBSS IT department, Cybersecurity Apprentices, and the Volunteer Board joined forces this past school year to create a Cybersecurity Afterschool Club at Silver Spring International Middle School (SSIMS). IBSS created a partnership with this school several years ago and we’re always looking for ways to engage the students in meaningful activities.
The purpose of the club was to provide an introduction to cybersecurity with the hope that some of the students would pursue cybersecurity careers.
IBSS staff and apprentices provided hands-on activities and educational sessions throughout the spring 2023 semester between February and June 2023.
During the first club meeting, the IBSS team provided an introduction of cybersecurity and facilitated hands-on exercises to help the students understand the concepts. They presented the CIA Triad using a bank example.
In another session, the students engaged in cyber games where they attempted to crack passwords. They also used online resources including have I been pwned? to see if their email or phone had been included in a data breach.
In another activity, the group played a game of Kahoot! to reinforce skills about what characteristics make up strong passwords.
They also watched a video that explained how to make a powerful password, which provided a concrete example.
Silver Spring International Middle School, (SSIMS), which is located about 1 mile from IBSS headquarters in Silver Spring, MD, has a high percentage of students from low income families and immigrant families who do not speak English. IBSS initiated a partnership with SSIMS during the 2018–2019 school year. Since then, IBSS has assisted with various support opportunities to SSIMS, including hosting a Cybersecurity Afterschool Club, providing school supplies, and donating food for a school Community Day, and assisting parents to use the myMCPS mobile app, which parents use to find out news and information about the school and school system.
ABOUT IBSS
Since 1992, IBSS, a women-owned small business and Certified B Corporation, has provided transformational consulting services to the Federal defense, civilian, and commercial sectors. Our services include cybersecurity and enterprise information technology, environmental science and engineering (including oceans, coasts, climate, and weather), and professional management services.
Our approach is to serve our employees by investing in their growth and development. As a result, our employees bring greater capabilities and provide an exceptional level of service to our clients. In addition to creating career development opportunities for our employees, IBSS is passionate about giving back to the community and serving the environment. We strive to leave something better behind for the next generation.
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