Carleton College has established new student cybersecurity teams designed to provide hands-on security training and competitive opportunities. The program receives financial backing from Shavlik, which will supply dedicated server infrastructure for participating institutions.
Kendall George, who serves as Information Security Officer for the colleges involved, is directing the cybersecurity team project. The Shavlik funding will enable each participating school to deploy its own server environment for student training exercises and security competitions.
The technical infrastructure provided through this support will give students access to realistic environments where they can practice defensive and offensive security techniques. Dedicated servers allow teams to conduct exercises without impacting production systems, providing a safe space for learning through experimentation and simulated attacks.
This initiative addresses the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals by creating pathways for students to gain practical experience before entering the workforce. Student security teams typically participate in capture-the-flag competitions, vulnerability assessments, and other exercises that mirror real-world security challenges.
Colleges looking to develop similar programs should consider partnerships with security vendors for infrastructure support and ensure experienced security professionals are available to mentor student participants. Students interested in cybersecurity careers can benefit from joining these teams to build technical skills and professional networks in the security community.
Source: https://www.carleton.edu/news/stories/funds-will-launch-student-cybersecurity-teams/