Digital Divas: EMU To Host Cybersecurity Workshop For Middle, High School Girls

YPSILANTI -- Do you mind the gap?

The Information Assurance Program at Eastern Michigan University does.

The gap, in this case, is a career gap. It is the low ratio -- 12 percent -- of women making up the work force in the many available careers in IT, information assurance and cybersecurity.

One of the major problems is attracting young women into the profession -- helping middle school and high school girls understand the appeal, challenge and relevance of such a career in today's society.

With that in mind, EMU will play host as about 300 girls from area middle and high schools visit Eastern Michigan on Wednesday, May 23 for a one-day workshop, lunch included, to explore significant topics of cyber security and encourage young women to consider careers in information assurance.

The event, entitled "Cyber Security in the 21st Century -- Digital Divas," will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the EMU Student Center. The workshop will include expert speakers from national and local cyber security organizations and companies. Breakout sessions will focus on topics such as cyber bullying, sexting and stalking, building a PC, and programming an Android phone.

Speakers will include Pamela Kelly, from the National Security Agency; Annie Sullivan, from Google; plus Mrs. Debbie Dingell, speakers from General Electric, and current students from the EMU and MSU Information Assurance and Computer Science Programs.

The event, for grades 6-11, is a follow-up to the April, 2011 Stop-Think-Connect cyber security event at EMU, which drew more than 400 area students.

For more information on the event, contact professor Skip Lawver at (734) 487-3170, or email Skip.Lawver@emich.edu.