SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — High school students in Scranton are getting a hands-on look at the future of digital defense, learning how to stay safe online and even investigate cybercrimes.
From AI to digital forensics, students at the University of Scranton are spending their summer break learning how to fight cybercrime.
It's all part of a high-tech camp designed to spark early interest in cybersecurity and online safety.
At the University of Scranton's Cyber-AI Investigation Camp, teens are getting a crash course in cybercrime, learning how hackers operate, how to protect themselves online, and how law enforcement tracks threats in real-time.
"This is my second year here at the camp. We do a lot of different things with cybersecurity and digital forensics and all that kind of stuff," Camper Mario Gato said.
From interactive lectures to hands-on exercises, students say the lessons hit close to home because digital security is already part of their everyday lives.
Man accused of gun threats at Sheetz parking lot
"Everything we do revolves around cybersecurity. You're always on the internet. Everybody has a cell phone. It's really important to know how to be safe online," Gato added.
This year's camp added more focus on artificial intelligence and social engineering, the subtle ways scammers trick users into giving up private info.
"The first year I came, we didn't really talk about deep fakes or AI at all, but then the second year, that's the big focus of the camp and now we have a lot of like we just had a social engineer talk, which we didn't have in the previous years, which is really interesting to always learn new things," camper Claire Choo stated.
Both Gato and Choo say the camp isn't just eye-opening, it's setting them up for the future.
"I'm going into my senior year. I'm looking for experience in law enforcement or digital forensics, to help make the world a safer place," Gato explained.
Whether they pursue a career in cybersecurity or simply learn how to better protect themselves online, these students are getting a head start on the digital future.
The Cyber-AI Investigation Camp continues through Wednesday at the University of Scranton.
