State launches cybersecurity contests for students

Montana is partnering with national organizations to promote cybersecurity awareness among K-12 students with two competitions.

Grades K-12 are invited to participate in the Kids Safe Online poster contest to promote cybersecurity awareness. The contest is meant to encourage young people to think about and educate their peers on safe online practices.

Students are asked to create posters based on a security awareness topic such as online information sharing, secure passwords, preserving online reputations or handling unwanted attention and cyberbullying, for example. The deadline for schools to register is Dec. 3. Student entries must be submitted by Dec. 17. Register at cybersecurity.mt.gov.

The Montana Information Security Advisory Council will pick 13 finalists. The 13 posters will be featured in the 2023 Montana Kids Safe Online calendar and entered into the national Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center poster contest.

Governor Greg Gianforte will then select the top four winners across the state. Winning posters will be used in cybersecurity awareness and computer safety campaigns around the state.

Additionally, a scholarship competition is open to high school students through a partnership with the SANS Institute. Participating students will learn cybersecurity skills by playing a free cybersecurity training game. Top-scoring players will be invited to apply for $3,000 scholarships through the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation. Register at www.cyberstartamerica.org.