Key Takeaways:
- Cybercrime is increasing at an alarming rate, with losses in the United States reaching $12.5 billion in 2023.
- The need for early cybersecurity education is growing, particularly among younger users.
- Cedarville University students are launching a new four-week cybersecurity camp, CedarBits, to teach middle school students computer safety, digital security fundamentals, and basic networking skills.
- The camp will introduce students to academic areas and career paths in computer science, cyber operations, and information technology management.
- The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world more safely and potentially discover an interest in cybersecurity.
Introduction to Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Education
Cybercrime is accelerating at an alarming rate, with the FBI reporting that losses in the United States reached $12.5 billion in 2023. As phishing scams, malware, and data breaches increasingly affect younger users, the need for early cybersecurity education is growing just as quickly. To help meet that need, Cedarville University students are launching CedarBits, a new four-week cybersecurity camp beginning February 3 for middle school students in grades six through eight. The hands-on program will teach computer safety, digital security fundamentals, and basic networking skills, equipping students to navigate the online world more safely.
The CedarBits Program
The CedarBits program will run from February 3 to February 24, with sessions held on February 3, February 10, and February 17 from 4-5:30 p.m. and February 24 from 4-6 p.m. in the Center for the Advancement of Cybersecurity in the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center on Cedarville’s campus. Students will explore topics like password management and digital security practices while completing hands-on work with micro:bit devices to apply cybersecurity principles through creative projects. The program was initiated by students in the Cyber Leader Development Program and will be led by Aaron Luke, Mikhail "Misha" Semenov, and Nicholas Sheldon, all junior cyber operations majors at Cedarville University.
Hands-On Cybersecurity Training
The CedarBits program is designed to provide middle school students with a fun, hands-on introduction to cybersecurity, showing them how computers talk to each other, how "bad guys" get in, and how they can keep their families’ devices safe. The program will also introduce students to academic areas and career paths in computer science, cyber operations, and information technology management – fields that continue to grow as digital systems expand across industries. Dr. Seth Hamman, director of Cedarville’s Center for the Advancement of Cybersecurity, hopes the program will help students discover an interest in cybersecurity and potentially pursue formal education in the field.
The Importance of Early Cyber Education
The need for early cybersecurity education is growing, and programs like CedarBits are essential in addressing the increasing online security threats. Middle school students are at the age where they are starting to think about the adult world and where they may fit into it, and their curiosity gives them the chance to explore their gifts and discover new interests. By providing hands-on cybersecurity training, the CedarBits program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world more safely and potentially discover an interest in cybersecurity. Whether or not they choose to pursue formal education in cybersecurity, the program will benefit students by giving them a better understanding of the digital world around them.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio’s largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. The university’s Center for the Advancement of Cybersecurity is committed to providing students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the field of cybersecurity, and the CedarBits program is just one example of the university’s efforts to address the growing need for cybersecurity education.
