As the digital world expands, so does the need for skilled cybersecurity and other STEM-based professionals. Recognizing the importance of fostering interest and expertise in this crucial field, Cyber Florida proudly sponsors numerous youth summer experiences, including CodeBreakHERs, a free summer camp for girls in grades 8-12. Held annually at the University of South Florida (USF), this year’s camp took place June 24 – June 28, 2024.
Professor Ruthmae Sears, a passionate advocate for women in STEM from USF’s College of Education, emphasizes the camp’s impact, “CodeBreakHERs provides opportunities for students to actively engage in cybersecurity and coding, and also increases interest in STEM as a whole, developing networks to grow academically, personally, and professionally.”
The camp’s success is bolstered by the dedication of instructors, teacher assistants, guest speakers, and volunteers who generously donate their time and expertise. Their commitment ensures that each participant receives a rich, hands-on learning experience.
The camp has a lasting effect on its attendees. Alysa, a local high school student, attended CodeBreakHERs last summer and was so inspired that she returned this year as a camp assistant, eager to pass on her knowledge and enthusiasm. Candy, another remarkable participant, has attended the camp for the past three summers. This fall, she begins her college journey at USF as an early admit student, a testament to the camp’s role in shaping her academic path.
The CodeBreakHERs curriculum is designed to be both comprehensive and engaging, covering a wide range of cybersecurity topics, including:
Hardware Security
Campers learn to use a Linux system with Raspberry Pis, which they get to keep after the camp. They explore cyberattacks that leverage hardware vulnerabilities, such as bypassing password protection using a USB stick. The hands-on activities ensure they grasp these concepts thoroughly.
Internet Security
Understanding network connections and the associated cybersecurity risks is crucial. Campers delve into the basics of network security, learning about injection attacks, Denial of Service attacks, and more.
Information Encoding and Error Correcting Codes
Participants study various encoding methods, including binary, hexadecimal, ASCII, and UTF8. They learn how to protect data from transmission errors through fun classroom games and, time permitting, explore the ubiquitous QR codes.
Cryptography and Blockchain
Cryptography, a cornerstone of cybersecurity, is a major focus. Campers learn about encryption, digital signatures, and hashing, with historical examples like the Caesar cipher. A highlight is the cryptocurrency challenge, where participants apply their knowledge in a competitive, blockchain-based environment.
Capture the Flag Competitions
To bring it all together, campers engage in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, tackling problems related to the concepts they’ve learned. Utilizing the CyberHub platform maintained by the Florida Center for Cybersecurity, they solve CTF challenges with assistance from the Whitehatters Computer Security Club (WCSC), who regularly compete in such events.
CodeBreakHERs camp not only imparts technical skills but also fosters a supportive community where young women can grow and thrive. By providing a platform for girls to explore cybersecurity, Cyber Florida is helping to build a more inclusive and diverse future in STEM. If you know a young woman in grades 8-12 who is curious about cybersecurity, encourage her to apply for this transformative experience next summer.
Together, we can empower the next generation of female cybersecurity professionals. For more information, visit https://www.codebreakhers.org/.