Research projects the global shortfall in the cyber security workforce will reach 1.5 million jobs by 2019[1]. Increasing the pipeline of qualified cyber security professionals has therefore become a key imperative for numerous technology and cyber security companies, including Symantec, as the livelihood and safety of technology depends on bridging this gap.
It’s never too early to educate
Exposing young students to necessary technical skills through science, technology, engineering and math education, while also building a strong foundation of softer skills is a critical step to reversing this trend. That is why engaging and educating students at all ages and levels, especially our youth, is a solution that is central to Symantec’s corporate responsibility strategy, including our goal toexcite, engage, and educate one million students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, with an emphasis on computer science and cyber security, by 2020.
For example, through a grant from Symantec, nonprofit partner Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) has developed a cyber security learning module and associated kit, to increase awareness about cyber security among elementary school students and provide them with the education and skills they need for the future.
“At Symantec, we are committed to supporting computer science education for all. This cyber security kit will help students understand important concepts and is part of reaching our goal to excite, engage, and educate 1 million students in STEM by 2020.”
- Cecily Joseph, Vice President, Symantec Corporate Responsibility
RAFT is a nonprofit, resource solution to help educators transform a child’s learning experience through hands on, inspiring education and supports 7,000 educators in enriching and improving the education of over 500,000 students. The cyber security learning module teaches the key lessons in cyber safety, including how to create and remember strong passwords, how to convert decimal data to binary data in order to “talk like a computer,” and how to model simple programs by using materials creatively to encode and decode data. The learning module is publicly available at http://raft.education/cyber-security/.
The accompanying Cyber Security Kit contains materials for four to six small groups of students to complete a design challenge that asks students to combine the concepts of strong password creation with binary numbers and programming. Additionally, the kit materials are upcycled from local manufacturers promoting environmentally friendly learning.
What is special about the learning module and kit is that it allows students to solve a real world problem while exploring cyber security concepts. It has also been designed to reinforce essential 21st century skills, including creativity, problem solving, teamwork, perseverance, and learning from failure, attributes that are as important to creating qualified candidates as the technical knowledge itself.
The grant has supported the creation of 100 Learning Modules and 300 Activity Kit 10-paks impacting approximately 4,000 students.
In addition to the grant, Symantec employees support the organization on various projects throughout the year. In 2015, Symantec employees contributed 100 hours of their time to help RAFT build hands-on learning activities for students.
Symantec employees from the Product Legal Services team volunteer for RAFT and help build engaging science-based educational materials for young students.
The power of partnerships that benefit business and society
The RAFT partnership demonstrates our model of strategic community investment in action. It is aligned to our business priorities and objectives and enables us to maximize our impact through monetary donations, our expertise and employees’ time and talents. Additionally, it contributes to broader industry efforts to strengthen the future vitality and success of our industry.
Alongside RAFT and our STEM nonprofit partners we illustrate the power of partnerships that benefit both business and society.
Jaime Barclay is Symantec’s Manager, Corporate Responsibility