Capitol Hosts Maryland MESA Students for Cybersecurity Event

Contact: Kyle Anderson Marketing & Communications Coordinator 301-369-2800, ext. 3015 kdanderson@capitol-college.edu

LAUREL, MD (October 19, 2011) – On Friday, Oct. 7, several dozen Maryland MESA students from McDonough High School, Patterson High School and Western High School visited Capitol College for the institution’s first event for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2011.

 

The event kicked off with a presentation by Patrick Simon, cyber program executive at SAIC, who stressed the importance of technical jobs in today’s economy. He noted that because of the incredibly fast pace of technological development, colleges and universities are now training students for jobs that do not exist at the moment.

 

Simon then showed students a demonstration of a real-time cyber attack response. He stressed the importance of defending against these cyber attacks, and mentioned how the number of attacks is always increasing.

 

“Capitol College is pleased to continue our relationship with Maryland MESA by hosting several area schools as part of our Cybersecurity Awareness Month activities,” Dr. Michael G. Gibbs, vice president for advancement, said. “Capitol especially thanks Patrick Simon of SAIC for his outstanding presentation to the students regarding cybersecurity and what it takes to be prepared to enter the field.”

 

The MESA students were then given a tour of Capitol College’s Cyber Battle Lab (CBL) where students simulate, detect, analyze and defeat cyber attacks. The high school students were shown the capabilities of the lab and the type of hands-on learning that is a hallmark of the CBL.

 

“We appreciate the partnership with Capitol College and the ability to provide these educational experiences to our students,” Paula Shelton, executive director of Maryland MESA, said.

 

The students were also shown Capitol’s Space Operations Institute (SOI). In the SOI, students work with NASA to monitor satellite missions as they orbit the Earth. The experience gained in the SOI transfers directly for students looking to work in the aerospace industry.

 

Capitol College is the only independent college in Maryland dedicated to education in engineering, computer science, information technology and business through practices of leadership and innovation. Founded in 1927, Capitol offers associate, bachelor’s and master's degrees, a Doctor of Science in Information Assurance, professional development training and certificates. Academic programs are grounded in centers of excellence; these include the Space Operations Institute, the Critical Infrastructures and Cyber Protection Center, the Innovation and Leadership Institute, and the Center for Space Science Education and Public Outreach. The college campus is located in Laurel, Maryland, a suburban setting midway between Baltimore and Washington, DC. www.capitol-college.edu.