High School Students Learning to Be Cyber-Defenders Against Hackers

It used to be kids would take karate to defend themselves against attackers. Now, a whole new class of defense is being offered as attacks of the digital variety are becoming more prevalent.

A Catholic high school in Baltimore already has some of their students taking a class this summer to learn to defend against cyberattacks, according to CBS Local. It's not just recognizing security settings either. It's a computer class far more advanced than that and taught by a representative from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Many universities in recent years have begun to offer cybersecurity courses and certifications. The Catholic High School in East Baltimore sees this class as not only giving their students the ability to stave off any attacks but also potentially a leg up in a career as a cyber-defender.

Here's more from students taking the class:

Computers all seem so complicated, but is defending them difficult?

Catholic High School student Jewel Oliver weighed in.

“I don’t know. Define difficult. Difficult as in you don’t think a 14-year-old girl could do this? Yes, but once you’re actually taught how to, it’s actually not as hard as you think,” she said.

Watch the full report: