Computer Science Coach for Teens

Cyber Education Officer

The cyber education officer is for CAP squadrons that wish to place extra emphasis upon the cyber-related aspects of cadet life. Cyber education officers facilitate and monitor cyber education within the local unit. This officer is also responsible for liaising with the wing cyber programs officer to report on unit cyber programs activities, assist in the identification of cyber competition coaches and mentors, and assist in implementation of cyber program initiatives including assisting the aerospace education officer with the cyber education modules in the cadet curriculum. This is a good position for a volunteer who wants to serve for one meeting per month plus an occasional Saturday or more.

Key Duties & Best Practices

1. Instructional Duties. The cyber education officer is an instructor and subject matter expert. He or she should be a resource to the unit on all cybersecurity related topics covered in cadet aerospace education texts.

2. Cyber Activities. Cyber education officers organize local activities such as tours of industry sites having a significant presence in the cyber domain. Further, they promote cyber activities conducted above squadron level and steer cadets who are interested in cyber toward cyber-related National Cadet Special Activities.

3. Cyber Competitions. The cyber education officer serves as the coach of squadron-level teams at Cyber Patriot (or similar competition programs). Squadron-level officers should coordinate with their wing-level counterparts if starting a new team from scratch, and to track unit participation in the program.

4. Program Leadership. Because the cyber domain is new to CAP, cyber education officers are needed to take a leadership role in growing the program. They assist the unit in identifying solutions to existing or emerging problems and opportunities in the area of cyber programs and liaise with the wing cyber programs officer on execution. A highly successful cyber education officer creates a plan of action for the squadron’s cyber programs and activities annually.

5. Cadet Protection. Ensuring that the Cadet Protection Policies are followed is everyone’s responsibility. The cyber education officer regularly observes unit operations to ensure alignment with the Cadet Protection Policy. When cadet protection violations or boundary concerns arise, they swiftly address concerns.

6. Information Technologies. A cyber education officer would also assist the squadron with information and web technologies including: responsibility for setting password policies for local field developed applications/systems to ensure user access is controlled and restricted to authorized users; ensuring all members with access to confidential data have a business requirement for the information and take reasonable steps to protect it; develop and maintain a reasonable capability to address system interruptions of locally developed applications; ensure that anti-virus protection is operational on all CAP issued computers; and to assist members with hardware/software issues as needed.

7. Safety & Risk Management. The cyber education officer also familiarizes themselves with the Activity Risk Management Pamphlet and follow CAP’s Safety Risk Management Process of identifying hazards, assessing risks, developing controls, implementing controls and evaluating effectiveness for all activities and events.

About Civil Air Patrol

Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation. In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.

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