Bartow Schools To Launch Cybersecurity Program

CARTERSVILLE, GA — In a few short weeks, a retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force will help navigate a select group of Cass High School students through one of the top 10 career fields in America: cybersecurity.

Bartow County School Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page said this new distance learning initiative will allow students to earn three certifications by the time they graduate: CompTIA A+, Network +, and Security +.

The first cohort of 25 students on Tuesday signed a commitment to the course, which will launch Jan. 8, 2019. CyberTec Academy, a Nevada-based company owned by Retired Lt. Col. Robin “Montana” Williams, will simultaneously train and certify a Cass instructor and the first cohort virtually.

Dr. Page said no other high school in Georgia offers these three credentials. With the partnership with CyberTec Academy and State Sen. Bruce Thompson, BCSS is giving students "a distinct advantage over others entering the workforce" in a field that's growing on a daily basis.

“These students will immediately enter into the workforce as ‘high demand’ candidates with
salaries ranging from $32,000 to 35,000 a year,” Sen. Thompson added. “With about 300,000 cyber positions currently unfilled in the United States, it was imperative to have the technical colleges and universities develop curriculum.”

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At the end of the 2018-19 school year, the school system hopes to certify other instructors and model a similar state-funded program at each Bartow County high school.

From 2010 to 2015, Williams worked for the White House and the Department of Homeland Security to create and direct the daily operations of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education program. He's known as an international expert in workforce development and cybersecurity training.

While working for the feds, he created the National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework, which has become the global standard for training program creation for current and future cybersecurity professionals. Other accomplishments include creating the Federal Virtual Training Environment, building the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies Portal, overseeing the DHS/NSA Centers of Academic Excellence Program for Cybersecurity and directing execution of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

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