AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Alliance for Fort Gordon continues to strengthen the nation’s future cybersecurity workforce through its nationally recognized CyberPatriot Summer Camps, which have now provided free cybersecurity education to 1,450 students since the program began in 2019.
Hosted at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, the Alliance’s CyberPatriot Summer Camps have experienced remarkable growth over the past seven years, expanding from 72 participants in 2019 to 332 students in 2026—an increase of more than 360 percent.
The camps introduce middle and high school students to cybersecurity, networking, Linux, Windows administration, and digital forensics through hands-on learning and team-based competitions. By removing financial barriers, the Alliance has ensured that students from across Georgia and neighboring states have access to high-quality STEM and cybersecurity education at no cost.
“This program is about much more than teaching technical skills,” said Dr./CSM (Ret.) Thomas “Tom” Clark, President and CEO of the Alliance for Fort Gordon. “Every student who walks through our doors represents another investment in our nation’s cybersecurity future. We are building awareness, confidence, and career pathways that will ultimately strengthen our workforce and our national security.”
The program’s continued growth reflects increasing demand for cybersecurity education:
- 2019: 72 students
- 2020: 139 students
- 2021: 139 students
- 2022: 140 students
- 2023: 167 students
- 2024: 218 students
- 2025: 243 students
- 2026: 332 students
The Alliance has also expanded its offerings over the years by introducing advanced-level camps for returning students. In 2026, the organization hosted 212 students in its standard CyberPatriot camp and 120 students in its advanced camp. Additionally, 45 students participated remotely from the Georgia State University campus in Atlanta, allowing the program to reach students beyond the Augusta region.
The camps continue to attract a diverse group of participants from dozens of schools and multiple states, providing opportunities for first-time campers as well as students returning to deepen their cybersecurity skills.
“Our mission is to inspire the next generation of cyber professionals while supporting Fort Gordon, Georgia, and our nation’s cybersecurity ecosystem,” Clark added. “The success of these camps demonstrates what can happen when government, education, industry, and the community work together to invest in our youth.”
The Alliance’s CyberPatriot Summer Camps are part of its broader workforce development initiative, helping build the cybersecurity talent pipeline that supports Fort Gordon, the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, and the growing cyber industry throughout the region.
As the program continues to expand, the Alliance remains committed to providing accessible, high-quality cybersecurity education that prepares students for future careers in one of the nation’s fastest-growing and most critical fields.