AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The cyber security talent pool is growing every day, and with the need to fill so many jobs here at home, leaders are cultivating the next generation.
Programming, fighting malware and protecting data are just some of the important things cyber security experts do every day.
It’s something that’s being invested right here in Augusta, starting in the classroom.
Mason Anglin says he’s no stranger to computers.
“I’ve coded a few times,” said Anglin.
And it’s more than you think for the average 6th grader.
Mason says he still faces some bumps on the road.
“Like, if I want to turn nine degrees. It won’t go like 47 or one degree, which I didn’t do and that was not very good. So yeah, trying to find the right algorithm to do the tracks,” said Anglin.
Organizers say getting the gears turning early for the students is what it’s all about.
Micheal Nowatkowski, a cyber security professor, said: “We teach them topics, like simple ciphers. We teach them password strength, and we teach them how to stay safe online.”
It’s all in an effort to establish more interest in a growing field in Georgia, with more than 15,000 cyber security jobs open on the market in Georgia and a national center in the heart of Augusta.
It’s a subject Anglin and others say they aren’t afraid to keep exploring.
“It’s fun. It has its challenges, but in the end, it’s very good,” said Anglin.
Organizers say they hope to entice as many kids as possible to get them interested in the growing field.
Supply and demand data for cyber security jobs shows that Georgia is 2% above the national average. Augusta is 1% above average and has about 1,000 jobs open now.
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