CONTRA COST COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Contra Costa Community College District and Diablo Valley College were recently awarded a $545,733 three-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Bay Area Cyber League project.

 The project is designed to address the Bay Area’s critical need for cybersecurity technicians.   Area high school students and teachers will be invited to participate in a year-long cybersecurity competition that begins with summer CyberCamps and continues with activities and competitions. By generating early interest in the subject, the project seeks to increase the number of high school and community college students obtaining an information technology or cybersecurity credential, such as a Certificate of Achievement or an Associate Degree from a Bay Area community college.

 Beth Arman, Senior Dean of Career and Community Partnerships said, “Diablo Valley College is pleased to expand cybersecurity opportunities to students throughout the school year, thanks to the new NSF grant. Cyber competitions and mentoring get students excited about their career potential. Cybersecurity is such a fast-growing and well-paying industry in the Bay Area; it’s important to provide exposure to a diverse group of students so they can be prepared to enter and thrive in these jobs. We need everyone’s talent!”

 In addition to support mechanisms for students and teachers such as training, mentorship and clubs, the project will also host monthly mini competitions to reinforce cybersecurity topics in the lead up to the annual cybersecurity competitions. Cybersecurity competitions emphasize leadership and teamwork, help create communities of learners, and challenge students’ knowledge, skills and abilities.

 The project is an expansion of week-long CyberCamps that have been offered throughout the region over the last five summers. The first Bay Area CyberCamp was offered at Las Positas College in 2016.

 The Bay Cyber League is being developed in consultation with the Bay Area Community College Consortium (BACCC) Regional Joint Venture partners, and the BayICT Partnership to ensure competition topics and rigor address local workforce skill needs. 

 The grant was submitted by a regional team of high school and community college instructors and staff to benefit public high school and community college students throughout the greater San Francisco/Santa Cruz Bay Area.