Governor Polis Takes Action To Create New Ways to Get Cybersecurity Careers For Students, Give AP Students New Opportunities to Serve in Colorado National Guard

Editor’s note: This news release was originally issued by the Office of Colorado Governor Jared Polis following his announcement at Ralston Valley High School of an executive order expanding pathways to cybersecurity careers for Colorado students.
 

ARVADA — Today, Governor Polis took executive action to create new ways for students to have promising cybersecurity careers and ensure that students who pass the AP cybersecurity course have more opportunities to serve in the Colorado National Guard. Governor Polis announced this action at Ralston Valley High School, which offers the AP Cybersecurity Course. Governor Polis was joined by David Coleman, CEO of the College Board, General Davis of the Colorado National Guard, and Emmett Garland, an AP cybersecurity student at Ralston Valley High School.

“Cybersecurity is a growing field, and trained cybersecurity professionals are needed in every industry. By bringing state agencies together, promoting the value of cybersecurity careers, and creating ways to get from the AP classroom to the Colorado National Guard we are creating promising new careers for talented students and making Colorado more secure. This Executive Action creates new opportunities for students, strengthens Colorado’s National Guard, and bolsters Colorado’s cybersecurity workforce,” said Governor Polis.

This Executive Order directs the Departments of Labor and Employment (CDLE), Higher Education (CDHE), Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT), and the Colorado Department of Public Safety (DPS), to coordinate a new high-quality pathway for high school students to get cybersecurity training, strengthening our workforce. These agencies and offices will work with the Offices of the Governor and Lt. Governor, the Colorado Department of Education, and the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) to ensure this pathway creates opportunities for students, preparing them to jump into cybersecurity careers. Through this effort the state will increase awareness of the importance and value of cybersecurity careers.

“Cybersecurity is a key means of defense for our critical infrastructure and national security missions,” said The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert Davis. “This cybersecurity pathway will strengthen civil-military partnerships in our state and expand opportunities for our Colorado youth to get hands-on experience in a vital career field with the potential to serve in the Colorado National Guard.”

This order also directs the Colorado National Guard to work to allow a qualifying score on the AP Cybersecurity Exam to be considered when assessing someone's readiness to serve with the Colorado National Guard during recruitment. This will give students more opportunities to serve in the Colorado National Guard and support Colorado’s cybersecurity if they pass the exam with a qualifying score. This will support students and the Colorado National Guard.

“Our country needs a new generation of cybersecurity talent, now more than ever,” said David Coleman, CEO of College Board. “Students are ready to answer the call and put their talents to work protecting their communities. Colorado is showing what’s possible by opening pathways to college credit, careers, and service for young people in cybersecurity. We need their intelligence, resourcefulness, and leadership to help secure our future."

“Taking AP Cybersecurity has taught me to think critically about technology and protecting people online,” said Emmett Garland, Ralston Valley High School Senior and AP Cybersecurity Student. “As this field becomes part of nearly every industry, today's executive order gives high school students a much greater opportunity to build on their skills and serve our communities. I hope other students will see this as their chance to discover cybersecurity for themselves, just as I have.”