Florida students gain early access to cybersecurity career pathways

Florida Virtual School students are getting an early start on careers protecting computers, networks, and personal data.Students in the program can earn industry-recognized credentials, including CompTIA Tech+ and CIW Web Security Associate. The CompTIA Tech+ credential is part of Florida’s Gold Standard Career Pathways Articulation Agreement, which can give students guaranteed college credit toward select associate degree programs at Florida State Colleges.“Cybersecurity is one of today’s fastest-growing and most important career fields,” said Amy Heflin, senior manager of curriculum development at FLVS. “Offering high school students cybersecurity coursework builds technical knowledge, critical-thinking skills, and early career exposure in fields increasingly vital to Florida’s workforce.”Brent Jourdan, a 10th-grade FLVS student from Brevard County, said the courses have helped turn a lifelong interest in computers into a possible career.“These courses have helped me develop my knowl