> _ What is AP Kickstarter Cybersecurity?

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Learn to Think Critically

Master Real-World Skills

Jumpstart Your Future

Step Behind the Screen: AP Cybersecurity at RVHS

Your Gateway to the Digital Frontier

Every time you log in, send a message, or share a photo, you are interacting with a vast, invisible digital landscape. This world, which holds everything from our personal memories to global economies, needs architects, guardians, and problem-solvers to keep it safe and functioning. Ralston Valley High School is offering students the key to understanding and protecting that world.

We are thrilled to announce that RVHS is one of only TWO high schools in Jeffco Public Schools chosen to pilot, and offer, the brand-new AP Kickstarter Cybersecurity course. This isn't just another class; it's a look behind the curtain of the technology that powers our lives and a launchpad for an amazing, in-demand career.

What is AP Cybersecurity?

This is a course for the curious, the puzzle-solvers, and the critical thinkers. You won't just learn about security; you'll learn to do it. You'll step into the role of a digital defender, learning to think like an attacker in order to build stronger systems. Throughout the course, you will:

🛡️

Explore Ethical Hacking

Learn to identify system vulnerabilities not to exploit them, but to secure them against real-world threats.

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Dive into Digital Forensics

Uncover digital trails and piece together clues to understand how security incidents happen.

⚙️

Master the Tools of the Trade

Get hands-on experience with the software and techniques used by cybersecurity professionals every day.

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Understand Cryptography

Learn the science behind securing data, from simple messages to complex financial transactions.

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Secure Network Infrastructure

Build and protect digital networks against cyber threats and unauthorized access attempts.

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Develop Incident Response

Learn to detect, analyze, and respond to security breaches in real-time scenarios.

In a world run by technology, understanding how to protect our digital lives is an essential skill. AP Cybersecurity provides a direct path to some of the fastest-growing and most crucial careers in technology, government, and business. This course will challenge you to think differently and equip you with a skill set that is valuable in any field you choose to pursue.

If you are ready to move beyond being just a user of technology and become one of its protectors, this course is for you. See your counselor today to learn more and enroll.

Explore Your Cyber Future

All career data sourced from Cyber.org

A Secure Future: Jobs in Cybersecurity

570,000+

Open Cybersecurity Jobs in the U.S. Right Now!

(Source: CyberSeek.us, 2025)

$120,360

Average Salary for Information Security Analyst

(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023)

> _ The Cool Stuff We Actually Do

Become a Digital Detective Learn how attackers leave behind "digital fingerprints" and how to analyze them. We'll investigate simulated data breaches and trace the steps of an intruder.

Build (and Ethically Break) a Fortress Learn what makes a computer network secure. Then, you'll put on your "white hat" and learn to think like a hacker to find vulnerabilities in a safe, controlled environment.

Hack in a "Sandbox" (Legally and Ethically!) We use virtual machines (VMs) to create a safe, isolated network. Here, you'll legally and ethically hack your classmates—and they'll hack you—to find, fix, and understand real-world vulnerabilities.

Master the Art of Secret Messages Dive into the world of cryptography! You'll learn how to encrypt and decrypt information, understand the math behind modern codes, and see why it's so critical.

Learn Physical Security & Lockpicking Not all hacking happens on a keyboard. Just like at DEFCON, you'll learn how physical security works by understanding its flaws. You'll get hands-on with locks to see how they are bypassed.

Become a Human Hacker (Ethically!) The biggest vulnerability is often a person. We dive into the world of social engineering, learning to spot (and defend against) phishing, pretexting, and psychological manipulation.

Explore Wireless & IoT Hacking Your world is full of wireless signals. We'll explore how Wi-Fi networks are secured (and broken) and look at the "Internet of Things" (IoT) to see how smart-devices can be vulnerable.

Compete on a National Stage Put all your skills to the test in national events like Capture the Flag (CTF). You'll network with tech companies and security pros looking for the next generation of talent.

> _ The Cybersecurity Playbook: The Curriculum

UNIT 1: DEVELOP THE CYBER MINDSET This is your foundation. You'll learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including how to identify threats, analyze risk, and understand the motives of different adversaries (from script kiddies to state actors!).

UNIT 2: SECURE THE PHYSICAL FORTRESS Hacking isn't just digital. This unit covers how to protect physical spaces. You'll learn about physical vulnerabilities, how to protect against them, and how to detect a physical breach before it's too late.

UNIT 3: DEFEND THE NETWORK This is the digital battlefield. You'll learn how data travels on networks and how adversaries attack it. We'll build digital defenses using firewalls, network segmentation, and wireless security.

UNIT 4: LOCK DOWN THE DEVICES Every phone, laptop, and server is a target. You'll master the art of "hardening" devices by managing authentication, controlling access, and protecting against device-specific attacks.

UNIT 5: PROTECT THE CROWN JEWELS (DATA) The end goal of an adversary is almost always the data. In this unit, you'll learn to protect it. We'll dive into the art of cryptography (making and breaking secret codes) and learn to secure the applications that use the data.

> _ Your Cybersecurity Future Starts Here

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AP College Credit

Earn valuable college credit by successfully completing the AP Cybersecurity exam. Get a head start on your college education and save on tuition costs.

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Industry Certification

Prepare for CompTIA Security+ and other industry-recognized certifications that validate your skills to employers and open doors to cybersecurity careers.

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Career Opportunities

Access internships, apprenticeships, and entry-level positions in one of the fastest-growing fields with 570,000+ open cybersecurity jobs nationwide.

Ready to Launch Your Cybersecurity Career?

Take the First Step Today

1

Enroll at Ralston Valley High School

Join the RVHS community and become part of one of only two Jeffco schools offering this cutting-edge AP Cybersecurity program.

2

Register for Computer Science

Sign up for AP Kickstarter Cybersecurity through the Computer Science department and secure your spot in this exclusive course.

Questions About the Program?

Contact our Computer Science instructor for more information about course requirements, prerequisites, and enrollment details.

Email Chris Jonson

> _ Cyber Code Breaker

Crack the encryption pattern before the system locks you out!

🔒 Mission Briefing:

You've discovered an encrypted message. The pattern is based on binary logic gates. Each light represents a logic operation (AND, OR, XOR). Crack the pattern to decrypt the message!

AND: Both inputs must be 1

OR: At least one input must be 1

XOR: Inputs must be different

Encrypted Pattern:

AND

OR

XOR

0

1

0

1

Your Output:

?

Attempts: 0

Level: 1

Time: 60s