Cyber Security Experts Target Younger Generation
THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4)- Cyber security experts from Level 3 Communications descended on the STEM school in Thornton on Monday. They spent the day teaching students to be security conscious and responsible with technology.
But the students at the school amazed the security experts with all they already know how to do on the internet. One 11-year-old was able to break through the school district's firewall to access inappropriate information.
Dakota Sharp explained, "Me and my friends were looking up something we probably shouldn't have been looking up."
CBS4's Suzanne McCarroll asks if the task was difficult or time consuming. Dakota says it took just moments and a few clicks of the mouse.
Dakota is a great kid who now plans to use his considerable computer talents for the greater good.
Other students here design games and create animation but admit if they wanted to hack into a website they easily could. That's part of why Level Three security experts are talking to the students about using their technical talents to help prevent stop cyber-attacks.
"They're the perfect group we can partner with to teach their families and the community how to be safe on line" says Beth Ard of the Level 3 Cyber Security.
Many of these students want to pursue careers in cyber security or computer coding or computer animation. Level 3 Communication is helping them get started on a good, safe path.
Suzanne McCarroll is a general assignment reporter at CBS4. Her stories can regularly be seen on CBS4 News at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Connect with her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @SuzanneCBS4.