San Antonio’s Cybersecurity Cluster and CyberPatriot

Abstract

San Antonio, Texas, U.S. has a robust cybersecurity cluster and the second highest number of information security professionals in the United States. In that setting, the CyberTexas Foundation runs a program called CyberPatriot, a local instance of the national program by the same name. In the local program, over 300 middle and high school student teams, led by teachers and supported by cyber security professionals/mentors, compete in a schoolyear-long mainly after-school program where students learn cybersecurity knowledge, skills and best practices. The project-based learning and competitive approach draws the support of industry, colleges and universities, government, non-profits, and of numerous professionals in the region. Explicit inclusion of cybersecurity education in various policy documents encourages long-term development, and the resulting talent pipeline has played a role in attracting new business. This chapter describes the industry history, program, industry cluster support, pedagogy, partnerships, and city and associated policies that drive the program forward. The chapter presents a version of the STEM in the Technopolis virtuous cycle described in Chap. 1 of the current volume, one made specific to CyberPatriot in San Antonio.