The Ethical Hacker's Quest: Building Cyber Skills Step-By-Step
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanitiesâall led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students.
SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they wonât find anywhere else.
Students will explore the organized stages of ethical hacking and learn how to conduct web application and network security assessments using industry-standard tools. Through dynamic Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges, they will gain practical skills essential for securing real-world applications and networks. At the conclusion of each session, students will participate in a mini CTF competition, submitting their answers to security tasks to earn points for successful completion. This task-oriented, rewarding method will motivate students to responsibly disclose vulnerabilities and investigate bug bounty platforms like Bugcrowd and HackerOne. By the course's end, students will possess a comprehensive understanding of ethical hacking and the requisite skills for a career in cybersecurity. The blend of structured instruction, CTF competitions, and hands-on activities offers a distinct and fulfilling learning experience.
Earning Criteria
- Attend at least 3 workshops.