ISCAP Proceedings: Panel Presentation
From K-12 Outreach to Cyber AI Curriculum
Mark Spanier
Dakota State University
Kyle Cronin
Dakota State University
Robert Honomichl
University of Arizona
Paul Wagner
University of Arizona
Sandra Leiterman
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Objectives
Artificial intelligence is changing cybersecurity on both sides of the equation. It gives defenders new tools to identify and respond to threats while also making attacks faster, more scalable, and more convincing. Preparing students for this environment requires early exposure through K–12 outreach and continued updates to college and university cybersecurity programs. This panel brings together faculty from Dakota State University and the University of Arizona to discuss how institutions can address AI-driven threats and defenses across the cybersecurity education pipeline.
Both institutions participated in the pilot Cyber AI Program of Study validation initiative through the NSA Centers of Academic Excellence community. Panelists will share lessons from that process and discuss how cybersecurity curricula can incorporate artificial intelligence, adversarial AI, AI-enabled attacks, automated defenses, ethics, and the changing skills expected of cybersecurity professionals.
The panel will also explore how these topics can be introduced to K–12 students through hands-on activities, summer camps, classroom visits, dual enrollment, teacher professional development, and partnerships between universities and schools.
Mark Spanier of Dakota State University will moderate the discussion. His background includes artificial intelligence education, adversarial AI, and K–12 outreach. Kyle Cronin is a Professor and Department Chair of Cyber Defense at Dakota State University, with expertise in cybersecurity education, curriculum development, and cyber defense. Paul Wagner and Rob Honomichl of the University of Arizona bring additional experience in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, curriculum development, and educational outreach. Their specific titles and areas of expertise will be added in the final submission.
Targeted Attendees
This panel is intended for faculty, program directors, curriculum developers, K–12 outreach coordinators, and academic leaders interested in integrating artificial intelligence into cybersecurity education. It will be especially useful for those developing or revising cybersecurity curricula, building K–12 outreach programs, supporting teacher professional development, or creating partnerships across secondary and postsecondary education.