Mineola High School will be offering a new cybersecurity program that focuses on providing a curriculum that will earn graduates industry certification, prepare students for top programs and impact the industry landscape.

The three-year program, starting in September, will consist of both classroom and cloud-based asynchronous courses, which allows students to learn on their own schedule within a certain timeframe. 

“Cybersecurity is a growing field, and I love how this program focuses on practical applications such as certifications and internships, said Kuri DiFrede, computer science teacher, in a March newsletter from the district. “It’s a great addition to our current programming classes.”

Cybersecurity 1 will let learners acquire foundational knowledge and hands-on learning through cyber competitions. The next course, Cybersecurity 2, will develop skills for careers in both IT security and cybersecurity and get industry certification. 

The second course will pair learners and mentors for real-world experience and allow students to enter competitions that reflect challenges in the workforce, according to the district.

“A learner should consider these courses if they enjoy solving challenges and like working with the latest technology. Whether planning to go to college or join the workforce, the cybersecurity industry offers high starting salaries and opportunities to advance,” the district said in the release.

The last course in the program would expand on areas of focus for learners and incorporate internship programs in the industry. 

Fewer than 1% of students in America currently have access to a cybersecurity curriculum, according to the district.

District administrators and community leaders joined with technology teachers and representatives from the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, a national network that supports forward-thinking leaders in education, on Jan. 18 to go over the program. 

The meeting featured a presentation from Digital Promise, an overview of the Cybersecurity 1 curriculum and benchmarks for the upcoming year. 

The district currently offers separate courses in robotics, computer science and other technology-related classes. 

From April 19-23, the Mineola robotics team will compete in the FIRST World Champion in Houston, Tx. They qualified for the competition after a win at the Finger Lakes Regional Competition in Rochester.