K-12 Cybersecurity Education Program
K-12 STEM Education
Program Highlights
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is widely recognized for its expertise in securing critical digital systems and improving infrastructure resiliency from adept and malicious cyber actors to disruptive weather-related disasters. At INL, people with various backgrounds help
protect the nation’s industrial control systems from failure.
Cyber-Informed Engineering Framework
To address cyber risks, INL and the Department of Energy have identified a framework called cyberinformed engineering that prioritizes cybersecurity as a key factor in the engineering and design of these critical systems. Cyber-informed engineering helps engineers to consider and mitigate the inherent risks of digital technology coming from failure, human error, disruption on compromise at the earliest possible design stages.
Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Training
The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency has collaborated with INL to provide comprehensive and innovative training courses aimed at securing industrial control systems.
Cybersecurity for Nuclear Facilities
Nuclear power plants make use of digital technology throughout their facilities — from instrumentation and control systems to physical protection, safeguards and engineering. To defend nuclear infrastructure from attacks on digital systems, INL combines its extensive nuclear operational experience and cybersecurity expertise to support existing nuclear energy operators and advanced nuclear technology vendors.
INL’s K-12 Programs in Cybersecurity Education
Cybercore summer camp: Each summer INL hosts introductory and advanced cybersecurity camps for middle schools and high school students at sites around the state. Developed by INL cybersecurity professionals, students experience how to defend against cyberattacks while learning about cryptography, programming, and physical control systems.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month: In October INL’s K-12 STEM team visits different schools in eastern Idaho to share the knowledge about importance of cybersecurity, how to protect yourself and your community from cyberattacks, how to get started in this field and possible career opportunities.
Cyber Patriot: INL provides grants and mentorship to teams participating in the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, a core part of Cyber Patriot program.
High school internships: Our High School Internship Program offers an unparalleled opportunity for high school students driven by passion and curiosity to dive into the world of cutting-edge research and innovation. Throughout the six-week paid summer internship, students help solve real-world challenges under the mentorship of top INL researchers and professionals.
Sparkle in Cyberspace: This program introduces elementary and middle school students to the basics of cybersecurity, helping them gain early knowledge in this important field.
Contact Information
Pooja Pawar