[WASHINGTON, D.C., January 13, 2023] On Monday, December 5 at 3:00 PM CST, during the 2023 NICE (National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education) K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference, host organization iKeepSafe aired the fifth annual National Cyber Signing Day presentation to over 550 live viewers.
We are grateful for the support of Union Pacific, which allowed us to feature seven students from four different states. The 2023 National Cyber Signing Day elevated K12 students’ cybersecurity achievements to the level of professional signing days for student-athletes. Integrating key elements of high-energy sports events – music, video packages, guest speakers, mascots, special messages from coaches and staff, and inspirational messaging. The presentation also expressed gratitude to the teachers and staff who supported students’ aspirations and encouraged employers to provide work-based experiences for K12 level students.
The 2023 National Cyber Signing Day recorded presentation, launched live during the NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference, has been made public and can be viewed online at:
https://www.nationalcybersigningday.org/home#VIDEOS
The 2022 National Cyber Signing Day featured the following students:
Jaden George from Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona
Nathan Wiltrout from Warrensburg High School in Warrensburg, Missouri
Grant Shanklin from Olathe Northwest High School in Olathe, Kansas
Lindsey Walter from Thomas Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland
Karthikeya Thota from Farmington High School in Farmington, Michigan
Anderson Rowcroft from Shawnee Mission West High School in Overland Park, Kansas
Christopher Barber from Lakota West High School in Westchester, Ohio
The students’ high-energy introductions were provided by Master of Ceremonies Roger Brallier, Assistant Principal at Houston Middle School in Missouri and former high school football announcer.
In 2018, Conference host iKeepSafe first featured the National Cyber Signing Day presentation at the NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Since then, National Cyber Signing Day has become a highly anticipated and integral part of the conference’s goal of promoting, recruiting, and expanding the US cybersecurity workforce of the future.
Said iKeepSafe Director of Operations and NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference Coordinator, Felicia Rateliff:
“By featuring the National Cyber Signing Day presentation during the NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference, a national event for cybersecurity educators, we hope to inspire organizations and schools across the country to provide similar events celebrating K12 students’ achievements on their paths toward cybersecurity and STEM related careers. We hope that by making this video public, it will be a source of inspiration for students, educators, and businesses alike.”
Preparations for the 2023 National Cyber Signing Day are well underway, and will debut at the 2023 NICE K12 Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on December 4, 2023. Educators or businesses with a high school student who will be entering or is in a cybersecurity related internship, apprenticeship, or other training program during 2023 are welcome to nominate potential student participants. The application form may be found here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe15y3NG4dJWw0BwioIvv9nJbjet0SH_Dn59fUspGvsuAVrYQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
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About iKeepSafe – The Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe) certifies digital products as compliant with state and federal requirements for handling protected personal information. We help organizations achieve and maintain compliance through product assessments, monthly monitoring, annual training, and assistance with remediation. Governors, First Spouses, and State Attorneys General from throughout the United States joined with law enforcement agencies, and child safety advocates in the formation of the Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe) a national effort promoting the safe and healthy use of technology. iKeepSafe was founded by Jacalyn S. Leavitt, former First Lady of Utah, in 2005. Over the past decade, iKeepSafe has evolved into a leading organization trusted internationally by families, educators, and industry. ikeepSafe has been the host of the NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference for the past five years. For more information on iKeepSafe, visit ikeepsafe.org.