Ambizione Italia for Cybersecurity: Generation Z learns about security
Amongst the 10 million Italians who underwent cyber-attacks last year, the largest target (32%) belonged to Gen Z, the digital natives born between 1997 and 2012. And gaming, one of the largest entertainment industries globally, has become one of the main objectives of cybercrime. Thanks to the attention of some teachers, the challenge of Ambizione Italia for Cybersecurity, the programme promoted with Microsoft, is arriving in high schools to involve Gen Z.
Nikita, 16, attends year three in a technical institute. “I love IT. In the future, I would like to become a programmer and create videogames. I’m learning!” he explains. “Today, I’m learning with videogame designing apps. In my free time, besides computers, I like to cook and dance hip hop. I started again after the pandemic and absolutely love it!” In this interview with Onelia Onorati, Nikita explains how he learned about Ambizione Italia for Cybersecurity and why he decided to learn more about this issues, in addition to his passion for videogames.
“My IT professor invited me to join the course and I thought it would be a good opportunity, as I’m in Year three of the IT programme. I was also very attracted by the course as I wanted to learn more about cybersecurity. In general, this issue is only addressed very generally at school, and I wished to improve my understanding of the problem. I decided I should have more knowledge under my belt for my future working career.”
“I keep thinking that I will work in programming, especially in videogames. I could work in a company or create something independently. I’m thinking about products that present intriguing stories in fantastic and magical settings, something truly story-like. I don’t think that I’ll stop studying once I get my diploma. I want to work, but also study, possibly computer science at university.”
