Behzad (Ben) Izadi
Cybersecurity Program Director / Cisco Faculty Lead
Email: bizadi@cypresscollege.edu
Phone: (714) 484-7000 x48039

Rassoul (Russ) Alizadeh
Cybersecurity Instructor
Email: ralizadeh@cypresscollege.edu
Phone: (714) 484-7220

Goal: Develop and implement a Pathway to Advancement of Cybersecurity Education (PACE) from middle school to four-year college with multiple opportunities for employment exit points.

• Objective 1: Collaborate and develop a plan with the following stakeholders:
  • AUHSD: Magnolia, Western, Oxford, Kennedy, Cypress
  • UCI, Cypress College
• Objective 2: Embed cybersecurity into middle and high school curriculum
  • National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center (NICERC)
    • Cyber content in k-12 curriculum, working with college partners to ensure the content is beneficial and relevant
    • Embed cyber content in Math Fundamental courses (6th to 8th), Algebra 1 (9th grade), Physics (11th grade), Computer Science and Advanced Math (12th grade)
    • Pilot Cyber Literacy 1 and Cyber Literacy 2 by Fall of 2017
  • Several Meetings with NICERC and Stakeholders
    • Initiated partnership with NICERV
• Objective 3: Provide outreach events to generate interest in cybersecurity
  • CyberPatriot Program
    • National Youth Cyber Defense Competition sponsored by Air Force Association
    • HS and MS teams competing nationally to secure Linux and Windows operating systems
    • Cypress College CPX
      • Training/Competition Events: 13
      • Total # of MS/HS Participants: ?
      • Total # of teams: 31 (22 MS, 9 HS)
      • Best Rankings: Top MS team ranked 10th in the nation out of 1110 teams; top HS team ranked 68th in the nation out of 2757 teams
  • Mentorship
    • 8 college mentors visited 9 schools for weekly trainings
• Objective 4: Develop a cybersecurity certificate and AA degree programs
  • Cybersecurity Certificate
  • Cyber Defense Certificate
  • Cyber Defense AA Degree
• Objective 5: Provide articulation and alignment with 4-year institutions
  • Collaboration with UCI to take PACE beyond AA degree
  • Pursue articulation agreement for other 4-year colleges, including California State Universities
• Objective 6: Prepare Cypress College to become a CAE2Y Institution
  • Center of Academic Excellence for 2-Year colleges
  • Prestigious college designation based on program oversight by NSA and DHS
  • Benefits
    • Identifies our college as a Center of Cybersecurity
    • Distinguishes the quality of our CD program
    • Provides opportunities for grants and attract cybersecurity students
• Objective 7: Evaluate PACE and recommend best practices

The Cyber Defense certificate provides concepts and hands-on kills to identify cybersecurity threats and implement procedures to protect cyber assets. It will also enhance a student’s chances to pursue a professional career in cybersecurity by giving them various options to prepare for industry-recognized certifications such as Security+, CEH, CCNA, MCSE, and CCNA Security. To earn a certificate, complete the required courses as listed with a minimum of “C”. At least 50% of all course work must be completed at Cypress College.

The CyberPatriot Program was founded by the AFA (Air Force Association) to help young minds be more aware of different careers involving cybersecurity. Students are given a scenario in which they are responsible for securing vulnerabilities in virtual machines to strengthen its defenses. During the annual CyberPatriot National Youth Competition students will develop leadership skills and learn to work in a group environment.

Cypress College is a member of the SoCal Cybersecurity Community College Consortium Cypress College provides knowledgeable Mentors to tutor students competing in the annual national competition. Mentors provide weekly training at participating schools. Cypress College additionally hosts local competitions once a month to provide training and exposure for students in information security.

How to Get Started

• Step 1: Gather 2-6 people to form a team.
• Step 2: Find a coach (teacher/parent).
• Step 3: Connect with the CyberPatriot Team at Cypress College to have weekly training after school at your school.
• Step 4: Register your team!

CyberPatriot Volunteer Registration Form

Awards Night

This past March 1 and 2, CyberPatriot students celebrated their success in the CyberPatriot X competition. The event was hosted by Cypress College where students received awards (medals, trophies, and certificates) and were recognized by the school, parents, and coaches. For this competition, nine different middle and high schools received training from the Cypress College mentors.

In the past year, Cypress College’s CyberPatriot Program has nearly doubled its number of students and continues to send teams to the semifinal round of CyberPatriot.