Cybersecurity
Grades 9-12 (URI college credit available for students)
Cyber Technology and Issues in a Global Society is a URI general education course intended for all students (not just those interested in computer science or cybersecurity as a career). This course provides an overview of the technology, threats, and social impact of cybersecurity in our everyday lives.
Students will gain a broad understanding of what cybersecurity is and why it’s important in their everyday lives. Topics include security breaches, cyber professions, basic cyber concepts, social engineering, cryptography, cyber threats, global impact, and incident response.
College Credit
This course can earn students 4 URI college credits through the URI CS Concurrent Enrollment Program.
URI supports two Cybersecurity options that are eligible for concurrent enrollment:
URI’s Cybersecurity curriculum and professional development
Project Lead the Way’s (PLTW) Cybersecurity program
Both offerings are great, but they take different approaches - decide which offering is best for your school!
Both offerings are great, but they take different approaches.
Which offering is best for your school?
| URI Cybersecurity | PLTW Cybersecurity | |
| Course Description | Overview of the technology, threats, and social impact of cybersecurity. Students will gain a broad understanding of what cybersecurity is and why it’s important in their everyday lives. Topics include security breaches, cyber professions, basic cyber concepts, social engineering, cryptography, cyber threats, global impact, and incident response. | Introduces tools and concepts of cybersecurity and encourages students to create solutions that allow people to share computing resources while protecting privacy. Raises students’ knowledge of and commitment to ethical computing behavior. Aims to develop students’ cybersecurity skills as consumers, friends, citizens, and employees. |
| Grade Level | Introductory 9-12 | Advanced 11-12 |
| Prerequisite | None | CS Principles (or similar) |
| Curriculum Cost | Free | Annual fee (calculate total cost) |
| Curriculum Resources/Support | Basic lessons include videos, readings, assignments, grading rubrics, discussion questions, and quizzes. Local support from URI and RI teacher community of practice. | Provides extensive teacher lesson plans including videos, readings, reflective question, activities, projects, and assessments (developed for high school students). Nationally supported curriculum. |
| PD Cost | Free (scholarship funding from CS4RI) | Cost per teacher may vary (see details - scholarship funding may be available) |
| PD Format | Asynch online summer course (~16 hrs/wk for 5 weeks) | Various offerings (view options) |
| Device Requirement | Works on all devices (including Chromebook) | Windows/Mac |
| Textbook | Cyber Security for Beginners text book (~$20 each on Amazon) | None |
| Objective | Prepares students to decide if they may wish to pursue higher education or a career in cybersecurity | Prepares students for cyber challenges by providing technical skills required to solve problems |