The Student Cybersecurity Association (SCA) is an excellent extracircular activity for students interested in learning more about Cybersecurity. The SCA participates in a wide variety of events that range from developing skills in Ethical Hacking to actively participating in Capture the Flag Competitions. SCA members who volunteer at UPCI community outreach events have their hours tracked and the UPCI uses those volunteer hours to provide travel stipends to conferences and events. The SCA meets roughly once a week. Any interested students can send The Student Cybersecurity Association an email. or request membership using the QR code.
Community Involvement
Peter White Public Library Cyber Clinics
The UPCI has partnered with Peter White Public Library to present a series of cyber clinics to seniors, families, and the general community. SCA members have been instrumental in staffing these events and providing authoritative, up-to-date information on computer and internet safety.
YooperCON Session Leads and Support Roles
NMU's UPCI holds an annual cybersecurity career exploration and skills day for high school students from across Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The event routinely draws 300+ students from 12-14 school districts across the region. SCA members can sharpen their soft skills by leading sessions or assisting in labs.
Upper Peninsula Cybersecurity Symposium
Counselors at NMU's Cyber Defenders Residential Summer Camp
Skill Development
Capture The Flag Competitions
A CTF (Capture The Flag) competition is a cybersecurity competition that features a series of challenges for participants. There is a "flag" (usually an alpha-numeric sequence) awarded for solving each challenge. They are designed to test skills related to hacking into or defending computer systems. The Student Cybersecurity Association works to develop these skills through workshops, training sessions, and club activities such as virtual lab environments (such as TryHackme). Students have attended physical CTF competitions in the past with skills learned from the club and the university. Many of these events are still on our radar, even during the pandemic, as many of them are going virtual.
Professional Development
Certification Support
With the Upper Peninsula Cybersecurity Institute launching many new opportunities to achieve professional certifications, we can work as a club to help teach, study, or practice ideas and concepts relating to these certifications. The Institute is currently offering funding to help offset the cost of these certification courses!
Professional Connections and Internships
Marquette, Mi. is an upcomming spot for many cybersecurity professionals. Many companies are working with NMU to promote cybersecurity internships from the student body. Skills learned during SCA meetings directly contribute to those required for many local internships.