Georgia is a national leader in cybersecurity innovation, and that begins with our students. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month; it’s a great opportunity to teach students how to protect their information, make smart digital choices, and understand the technology shaping their world.

From social media to school assignments, today’s learners spend more time online than ever before, making cybersecurity skills essential for both their personal safety and future careers. Building cybersecurity awareness early helps students think critically about their digital actions, recognize online risks, and develop habits that protect their privacy and data. These foundational skills not only safeguard them now but also open doors to high-demand careers in one of the fastest-growing industries in Georgia and beyond.

GPB offers free resources to explore this important topic in school and at home.

For older learners: Pathways to Possibilities

Georgia is leading the way in cybersecurity education, and students can start exploring this high-demand field right now. In two short videos from GPB’s Pathways to Possibilities series, learners discover how Georgia’s Cybersecurity Pathway prepares high school students to defend against digital threats and protect vital information, then hear directly from professionals who share insights about real-world cybersecurity careers and the skills needed to succeed. 

For younger learners: GASHA GO! World

Being a good digital citizen starts early, and the GASHA GO! World series helps young learners understand how to stay safe and make smart choices online through fun, age-appropriate storytelling. In the videos “Keep Info Private” and “Be A Good Digital Citizen,” favorite GASHA GO! characters guide children through important lessons about protecting personal information, thinking before they share, and asking a trusted adult for help when something doesn’t feel right. These videos introduce key digital citizenship concepts in ways that are easy for children to understand and remember, helping them build the foundation for safe and responsible technology use.

gasha go cyber

The Gashlings encourage kids to make good decisions online.

Educators and families can explore the full GASHA GO! World collection, which includes engaging games, videos, and support materials that strengthen early computer science and literacy skills while promoting healthy digital habits.

For educators: Classroom Conversations podcast

In episode 508 “Cybersecurity Education: Be Discerning and Open to Learning,” host Ashley Mengwasser speaks with Lakecia Gray, a computer science educator in Gwinnett County, about the crucial role of cybersecurity instruction in K-12 classrooms. She discusses her background in the telecom industry and her experience teaching to offer practical strategies for helping students become discerning digital citizens. They discuss topics like password strength, phishing awareness, integrating cybersecurity into existing curriculum, and how educators can position themselves as facilitators of learning, even when they don’t have all the answers. Listeners walk away with actionable strategies to start embedding cyber safety lessons now and building student confidence in navigating a digital world. Classroom Conversations is a podcast collaboration with the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE). 

Empower your students this month to be not just digital citizens, but digital defenders!