McDowell High School students explore cybersecurity

Dr. Christopher Mansour presents to McDowell High School students in their Fundamentals of Cybersecurity class about encryption, cryptography, and the creation and cracking of ciphers.

McDowell High School students have the opportunity to explore cybersecurity through the new elective Fundamentals of Cybersecurity, introduced for the 2024-25 school year. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to critical cybersecurity concepts, including common cyber threats, social engineering, data safety, system security, cryptography, Linux essentials and networking fundamentals. Students learn to identify vulnerabilities, implement security measures, and understand the basics of secure communication and protocols.

In the first quarter, students had the chance to hear from Dr. Christopher Mansour, chair of the computing and information science department at Mercyhurst University. His guest lecture focused on encryption, cryptography, and the creation and cracking of ciphers, offering valuable real-world insights into the field.

The Fundamentals of Cybersecurity course is part of the district’s effort to provide students with diverse opportunities in computer science, approved by the Millcreek Township School District’s School Board for the 2024-25 school year.