Shehzad Bhojani - Getting Ready for Cybersecurity Week: Cyber Watchdog for High School Students.

We'd like to begin by introducing our special guests Shehzad Bhojani. He is the program manager for Alliance for Education. And he's here today to share  information about the new cyber watchdog game. 

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Music by ItsWatR from Pixabay - Wataboi Flavour

Transcript

 Sonal  00:03

Welcome to the SBCSS Digital Learning Bits and Bytes Podcast inspired by our dedication for equitable and inclusive educational technology and computer science. Todays Digital Learning Team Hosts are Sonal Patel and Dr. Sharisa Chan.

Sharisa  00:20

Hello, everyone. I'm Sharisa Chan. 

Sonal  00:22

And hi, everyone. I'm Sonal Patel. We'd like to begin by introducing our special guests Shehzad Bhojani. He is the program manager for Alliance for Education. And he's here to share today information about the new cyber watchdog game. Welcome Shehzad.

Shehzad  00:38

Hey, it's great to be here. Thanks for having me.

Sonal  00:40

We're so happy to have you here.

Sharisa  00:42

Absolutely. Okay, so let's start off with a bit of fun. Please share one bit byte that people may be intrigued to learn about you.

Shehzad  00:51

This was a tough one. I had to think a little bit before I could answer but I think being that I'm Indian. I'm a big fan of Bollywood. For those of you that don't know Bollywood. Bollywood is the Hollywood of the Indian subcontinent. And so movies shows, food, everything related to Bollywood. I'm a big fan of just a fact. Given the Bollywood tradition of big weddings, my wedding included over 500 people

Sonal  01:19

I beat you should add 400

Shehzad  01:21

Oh my goodness. But I can tell you 450 of those 500 I didn't know.

Sonal  01:26

Actually, there was probably like, 600 of them. I didn't know.

Shehzad  01:31

Welcome to Bollywood.

Sharisa  01:32

I want another wedding. I don't

Sonal  01:37

That's awesome. Bollywood. You know, I also grew up with Bollywood movies. Who's your favorite actor? Or actress?

01:43

So I've got a few but I like Shahrukh Khan, same hand. And I like Katrina Kalf.

Sonal  01:51

Oh, okay. I was a super fan of Kegel Kegel. Oh, back in the day. Yeah. Back in the day. So I won't try. I won't scare our listeners today with singing some of those Bollywood hits. But definitely take me back to memory lane. Thank you for sharing that.

Shehzad  02:06

Sure. 

Sharisa  02:07

Okay. Great. Yeah. Thank you so much for sharing. That's really interesting. I got to watch some Bollywood films.

Sonal  02:12

I was just saying to you later, Sharisa.

Sharisa  02:14

I love that idea, thank you Sonal.

Sonal  02:18

Okay, so we're gonna go straight into, you know, learning a little bit more about you tell us a bit about you, and how what you do ties into the world of cybersecurity.

02:28

Sure, sure. Yeah. So. So before I start in about me, I think I want to, you know, my colleague, Kim Terry, who was a coordinator with the Alliance for Education couldn't be here. But he and I were gonna do this together, because we worked on this particular project together. So we both work at the Alliance for education, whose mission mission is to transform lives by connecting to an educate into the world of work. So part of our job is to bring awareness to high need industry sectors and the pathways that lead to them. Cybersecurity is a high need high demand industry. And we have great local resources. And so this particular project, you know, came out of that ned and that demand to bring awareness around cybersecurity.

Sonal  03:08

Awesome. And I love that shout out to Kim Terry I'm gonna give him an additional shout out. Hey there, Kim Terry, you are awesome. 

Sharisa  03:14

Yes, absolutely. Kim, we miss you today? For sure. Okay, so we've heard that you have a new program that you wanted to share today. So we're stoked to hear about this cyber watchdog program? Could you please tell us a bit more about it?

03:30

Sure. Yeah, so we're super excited about this one as well. Cyber watchdog is a free to play mobile video game for high school students and adults, that has been designed to provide awareness and, and bring attention to the proficiencies in careers related to cybersecurity and IT and the regionally specific pathways to get there. The purpose of the game is threefold generate awareness and interest in cybersecurity and IT raise awareness about the careers related to cybersecurity and IT  and then really provide Inland Empire specific resources to further interest into action. The game, you know, we know gamification, and the number of our students who are on their phones using games is increasing. And so using gaming as a platform to really allow students to interact with the basics of cybersecurity, cryptography and PC building. And as they earn badges in the game, right, they progress with interacting at a very foundational level, to demonstrating their knowledge about cybersecurity and how they can protect the real world by defending critical infrastructure. The game, put students in a bank, you know, and it puts them in a couple of different scenarios that reflect the real world. And then once they kind of complete the basics of the game, and as they progress through the six different badges they can earn. They learn about networks, they learn about day to day applications of good cyber practices, they learn about the basics of cybercrime investigation, the importance of backing up data, cyber security's relationship to money. And then as they go through this experience, they're exposed to cyber related terms, and jobs that are related. And throughout this entire game has been weaved in this this component of soft skills or central skills that we hear a lot about, from employers all across, not just the Inland Empire, but across the state and across the country. And so that's the basic premise of the game. And we're super excited to put it into the hands of our students. 

Sharisa  05:39

That is so exciting. Number one, I want to play the game, because I want to get the those levels. But also, it's so great that it's gamified it's on their phone. Amazing, it's easy access, I'm thinking back to my Gameboy days playing, you know, and I'm dating myself here with all my games, you don't have to have an extra device. But like you said, they're learning all of these soft skills and terminology and, you know, these, these different components to be more aware of cybersecurity, and I love the career connection to it as well. You said it's built into there, I'm sure it's very seamless, you know, these are things that you could do. And we do have those students out there who are like, I want to be able to, you know, stop hackers or do this or that this is the way to do it. So

06:19

well. And you know, and the premise that students don't know what they don't know. So I think, you know, a student doesn't know about cybersecurity until they've been exposed. Yes. And exposing them to cybersecurity in a fun way gets them the hook. Absolutely. Which is, which is essentially critical for students. Yeah,

Sonal  06:36

yeah. So I really appreciate that. Shehzad, and I really appreciate what you said about you're exposing them to careers they may not have known existed, right, that's opening up access and opportunities right from the get go. And I got to play the game as well, by the way, like, I got to test it out at the beginning. So thank you for bringing me into that I was already engaged and really excited about this. With that said, though, we talked about giving greater access, what do you think it because you know, there's an under representation, you know, as you know, of girls in computer science and cybersecurity careers. How do you think this game might get students who identify as female into an interested in cybersecurity?

07:16

Yeah, no, that's a great point, I think. And we were very conscious as we designed the game, you know, and so the first thing we did was we sought input from experts, right Sonal, you were part of the team as well. We had educators from our high schools that taught cyber from the Cal State San Bernardino cyber program as well, students who are in the program, in fact, you know, one of the girls that was in the program was part of our team that helped give input on on the game development process. As you start the game, right, you have avatars that you can, you can kind of choose and create. And we have female representations of those avatars, pretty prominently placed in there as well. So I think from that standpoint, I think we wanted to allow individuality to kind of come into the game as well. And the game is is available to anybody, anybody in our two counties inland, you know, in the Inland Empire, but also anybody across the state across the country across the world. Wow. It's available for anybody to download on the iOS, you know, and the Google Play Store. Yeah. And I think that was that intentionally, I think, what what's advantageous for our two counties is that the information that's embedded within the game is regionally specific to the Inland Empire. And students can play more levels. But you know, talking about regionally specific information, that was a critical part of what we wanted to put into the end of the game, so that students just don't play the game, but they know what to do next, we've got a great resource sitting in our backyard. Cal State San Bernardino, is one of the top nationally recognized cyber programs in the country. They get tons of scholarships from the federal government, a lot of their graduates end up taking jobs with the federal government with the NSA. And so we wanted to make sure that students as they played this game in the Inland Empire right here in our backyard, knew about the programs, the courses, the scholarships, that were available at Cal State San Bernardino, and the job opportunities here, you know, in our in our counties, as well. And then the game can also be played in English, but it can also be played in Spanish as well, from an access and equity standpoint.

Sonal  09:24

Excellent. Thank you so much.

Sharisa  09:25

The fact that it's centered here in the Inland Empire is I think it's great too, because they need to see something that represents them or that they understand and just like you said, So I absolutely love that. Okay, so that brings us to our next question. When will the cyber watchdog program launch? And how do we get our education educators and students involved?

09:46

Yeah, that's a great question. So the game was actually live. Right now. It's available on the iOS and Android app stores. However, we're asking our inland empire high schools, both in Riverside and San Bernardino counties to promote the game heavily during cyber week, which is in October, October 17 through the 21st is  Cyber week, we have developed marketing materials that can be shared virtually, or can be printed to promote the game. And we're really pushing the idea of having a physical launch a lunch tabling event. For example, during cyber week across our high schools, where schools can actually sign up now, for printed marketing materials, we have a package that we've put together, and we have a limited supply. However, we've only got 40, suppliers and up 40 high schools. But if they register and committed to the fall launch, they can get access to those materials. And we really need, you know, our schools to step up and take advantage of this. Because we can get these careers out to our students. And if you look at our Twitter feed at @SBCAlliance or our website, SBCalliance.org, you will find information about the marketing materials. And so we're really hoping to be able to take advantage of all of our schools and our in our collective impact efforts we want to put together and getting this game out in front of as many high school students as possible. We've also made some marketing materials that can be available virtually, that are available to our post secondary institutions. So our community colleges, Cal State San Bernardino, and I know we've been in conversation with with Cal State, and several of our community colleges who are interested in doing these tabling events physically, possibly during cyber week as well. So we are super excited. And please, you know, go and get those marketing materials. But if nothing else, use the virtual materials to push it out in any platforms that you see fit for our students.

Sharisa  11:42

I love that you made it really easy to access for everybody. And that tabling event, I would love to witness that myself at the high school. That's fantastic.

Sonal  11:51

Yeah, that was wonderful. Thank you so much Shehzad so so far, I have to say I am just absolutely blown away. The Cyber watchdog game, do you want to call the game? Do we call it game? Yeah, the cyber watch game, you've said that it's accessible, it's fun, it's engaging leads to job opportunities for our students, students get to learn those softer skills, and it's enticing for all of our students, including our girls. Most importantly, you get free material free marketing material to use to get kids very, very excited. So I am just absolutely thrilled that this is happening. And we're so glad to have you here talking about it. I just wanted to ask, actually, I don't want to ask anything, I want to turn it over to Teresa, because she might have some additional information to share.

Sharisa  12:35

I do so we're speaking about cyber here. And we actually have an event here in our county as well. So she decided I like to brainstorm together just so that all of our listeners know, we like to brainstorm a lot about cyber security and different events that we can do. And just ideas. And I mean, our brainstorming sessions are always on fire. They're really great. So one of the things that we're offering here in our county and along with our sister County, Riverside County, is a Cyber IE event. And this is open to all middle school students. It's taking place October 15, from 9am to 12pm. But we just really want to invite all middle school students to come out. And I say come out, it's virtual. So come online and join us and register for the event. All students do receive a free micro bit, as well as the opportunity to have a copy of the power on book by Jean Ryu and Jane Margolis. So just some information there to share with our listeners. Please have your middle schoolers sign up. We would love to see them all there.

Sonal  13:34

So what you're saying is there's something for middle schoolers and there's something for high school students. Wow. 

Sharisa  13:39

Yes. 

Sonal  13:40

 SAn Bernardino county, we're rocking.

Sharisa  13:42

We're on it. And for our event, the students will be going through a cyber escape room. So students that if there any students, especially, you will have so much fun trying to get through this escape room virtually. It's, it's just great. And then you'll learn how to use microbit as well.

Sonal  14:01

I get to test that one out as well, soon. Yes, I'm excited about it. Now I want to give a little shout out to our counterparts Riverside County who are working with us collaboratively on the Cyber IE day on the middle school event. I am thrilled it's gonna be a really great two events.

Shehzad  14:17

Yeah, no. And I think even even the cyber watchdog is available to students in both County, San Bernardino and Riverside. So we work collaboratively

Sonal  14:25

Love collaboration. So final question for you. Shehzad. If there was one piece of advice you could give to someone who is trying to expand computer science efforts in their school district? What would you say?

14:37

Yeah, so as I was thinking about this question, right, I narrowed it down to four short responses if that's okay. Right. So the first one is, I think computer science skills are becoming the foundational skills for what our students need, and will need to successfully compete in our new economy. And so that's the first piece I think the second thing is, you know, having been a former school administrator, I think as we work with our staffs, it's really critical to share the why, right? Why is it important to learn these skills first, and then the teach them. And then really thinking about building capacity with our staffs, you know, many of our teachers don't necessarily have the computer science skills themselves. And that's sometimes lead to leads to intimidation, right, or leads to a sense of fear to even try it. So I think keeping that in mind that as we want to give these skills to our students, always thinking about building capacity with our staffs. And then I think I think it really Lastly, right really thinking about integrating computer science skills into existing structures, existing academic platforms that are districts, because we know our teachers work hard every single day, they've got a lot on their plates already. And so I think figuring your way to integrating and working smarter rather than harder becomes important.

Sharisa  15:45

Absolutely speaking my language 100%, you know, making this connection to the teachers building their capacity so that they can support students, the integration component, I couldn't, I can't say enough, you know, to teachers, and, and those who are helping, you know, build the capacity of our teachers, and even our administrators and everybody with the understanding of computer science, you know, kind of being at the forefront of what the work that our students are going to need to do. So thank you so much for sharing. This has been super valuable information. And it's been a pleasure having this conversation with you today. The work that you're doing is super inspirational to us. And we're thankful to have you here in SBCSS. 

Sonal  16:23

Yeah, thank you so much for that. And we, you know, a little fun fact for you all, all the listeners out there, we are actually in the same building. So we get to brainstorm, as Sharisa was saying, we get to brainstorm a lot, with Shehzad  and you know, we're just so fortunate to have that collaboration. So thank you again, it's a great pleasure. And for those of you listening, be sure to follow Shehzad on Twitter @shehzadbhojani. Really easy. Or @sbcalliance. Am I right? Okay. Thank you all for tuning in. And yeah,

Shehzad  16:54

Thanks for having me, everybody. Looking forward to hopefully connecting with us at some point. 

16:58

Sonal  16:58

Awesome.

Sharisa  16:58

Thank you so much.

Sonal  16:59

Thank you. Join us next time for more bits and bytes of digital learning and computer science. And remember, if you're hungry for more, you can simply text dlsnews to 22828 or find us on Twitter @sbcss_edtech