Livingston County remains a hotbed for cybersecurity education
M. Alan Scott
LIVINGSTON COUNTY — As the field grows in size and demand, local high schoolers are showing continued interest in a Cybersecurity and Computer Networking Course through the Livingston Educational Service Agency.
The state’s first documented course in the cybersecurity field originated at Pinckney High School nearly 15 years ago. Today, students can earn college credit and industry credentials depending on their interest, class performance and future goals, according to LESA Assistant Superintendent for Career Development Michelle Radcliffe.
Radcliffe credits teachers and administrators at Pinckney, along with former principal and current director of the Pinckney Cyber Training Institute Jim Darga, for keeping the program going.
“We’ve been able to (purchase) new (cybersecurity) equipment from state grant money and have a state-of-the-art classroom at Hartland,” Radcliffe said. “We have a highly thought-of testing center and secure fiber area there.”
Juniors and seniors from any public or private high school in the county are eligible to attend the Cybersecurity and Computer Networking Course at Hartland High School. Its curriculum is developed by global technology firm Cisco, and covers PC and printer hardware components, network architecture and security, according to instructor Jen Lhota.
“The main objective is for students to leave this course with the knowledge to build and secure simple networks from the ground up,” Lhota said.
Lhota and fellow instructor Anne Hasseld have a developed interest in technology. They’ve previously taught web design and other courses in digital multimedia and computer science.
Most students who enrolled in the course this year had already completed a computer science class and had a previous interest in the subject.
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“Now, they’re just looking to see where they fit within the technology field, and this course provides another avenue for them to explore,” Lhota said.
Students can take the class as part of a traditional high school schedule or as part of the Livingston County Early College.
— M. Alan Scott is a freelance writer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.
