Air Force Association's CyberPatriot Program Hosts First-Ever AFA CyberCamps in Collaboration with AT&T

ARLINGTON, Va., July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Air Force Association's CyberPatriot program is hosting 83 AFA CyberCamps around the nation this summer, two of which will be hosted by AT&T.

AFA CyberCamps are week-long seminars designed to educate students in grades six through twelve on the introductory topics of cyber ethics and network security. Each camp culminates with a mock cyber defense competition.  Hosted during the summer months by approved schools and organizations, AFA CyberCamp curriculum kits include several 4-hour instruction and activity modules, accompanying instructors guides, student workbooks, and demonstration software.

"AT&T is excited to host AFA CyberCamps.  Our teams live in and are part of the San Antonio TX and El Segundo CA communities.  AFA CyberCamps are a perfect way to "give back" while at the same time providing local youth with experiences and skills to get them excited about Cybersecurity," said Colonel (USAF, Ret) Lance Spencer, AT&T Director for Air Force Strategy and Solutions.

AT&T Global Public Sector Solutions collaborated with Air Force Association's CyberPatriot program to host AFA CyberCamps July 11-15, 2016 in California and Texas. AT&T cybersecurity experts provided guidance and mentorship to participants. AT&T also supported the Air Force Association through $100,000 in contributions during 2015, part of which supports the AFA CyberCamps. 

As one of the largest tech employers in the country, AT&T is committed to equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. This commitment is part of AT&T Aspire, the company's signature philanthropic initiative to drive innovation in education.

"AFA CyberCamps have exploded this year, seeing more than a 200% increase compared to the number of camps hosted last summer. We're excited that our sponsors, including several industry-leading technology companies like AT&T, see the value in our programs," remarked Bernie Skoch, CyberPatriot National Commissioner.  AT&T has been a Cyber Diamond sponsor of CyberPatriot for four years.

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association to inspire high school, middle school and elementary school students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future and to help students be safe online. In addition to the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the program features AFA CyberCamps and AFA's Elementary School Cyber Education Initiative.

Supporters of CyberPatriot include Northrop Grumman Foundation, CyberPatriot's Presenting Sponsor, as well as Cyber Diamond sponsors AT&T, Cisco, Microsoft, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense; Cyber Gold sponsors Facebook, Riverside Research, Splunk, and Symantec; and Cyber Silver sponsors Air Force Reserve, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Leidos, and University of Maryland University College.

For more information about CyberPatriot, please visit www.uscyberpatriot.org.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage.

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SOURCE Air Force Association

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