FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

As we reach the midpoint of another semester, one topic is at the forefront of both our daily operations and our mission to prepare students for the future: cybersecurity. It’s an area that’s essential to protecting our districts today while also equipping tomorrow’s STEM professionals.

Cybersecurity is not just about preventing hackers from accessing our systems; it’s about safeguarding our students, their data, and our shared learning environments. Consider this: according to the K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center, there were 1,619 publicly disclosed cybersecurity incidents at U.S. K-12 schools between 2016 and 2022 alone. These incidents have the potential to disrupt our educational classrooms and remind us of the pressing need for strong defenses. As STEM-focused schools, we are well-positioned to address these challenges head-on, not only by protecting our infrastructure but also by building cybersecurity into our curricula as an essential skill.

Beyond securing our operations, we have a unique opportunity to train our students in cybersecurity, giving them the tools they’ll need in any field they choose. Nearly every industry is impacted by cybersecurity issues today—industries like healthcare, finance, and energy need skilled professionals who understand the complexities of data protection and cyber defense. Cybersecurity jobs have seen a growth rate of over 30% in the past decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and demand is expected to continue to rise. By teaching these skills now, we prepare students for a future where understanding cybersecurity will be as foundational as knowing algebra or biology.

At NCSSS schools, we’re already leading in this area. Many of our schools are incorporating cybersecurity projects where students can learn real-world applications—from building secure code to understanding ethical hacking. These hands-on experiences go beyond the classroom, providing students with an edge in a growing field. NCSSS member schools offer a variety of courses, cocurricular activities, internships, and other research experiences where students analyze real-world cybersecurity threats or work on protecting simulated networks. Not only do they learn critical skills, but they also develop problem-solving and ethical decision-making abilities that will serve them for life.

And while we’re building this knowledge in our classrooms, we’re also taking steps to secure our schools more effectively. Many NCSSS member institutions and our districts are adopting more sophisticated security measures, from multifactor authentication to intrusion detection systems. By modeling these practices, we show our students that cybersecurity isn’t just a subject—it’s a shared responsibility.

As you consider the articles in this edition of the STEM Edge, I encourage you to keep pushing forward, both in strengthening our defenses and in expanding our curricula. As we support one another across the consortium, we’re not only building stronger schools but shaping a futureready generation of cybersecurity-aware STEM professionals.

Corey Alderdice Executive Director Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts Hot Springs, AR

alderdicec@asmsa.org