Reflection Paper – First 50 Hours

           During the first 50 hours of the cybersecurity clinic, I was introduced to important
issues including ethical cybersecurity and cyber risk. These discussions provided the
foundation for understanding the major difficulties of real-world cybersecurity. The emphasis
on ethical practices and detailed risk assessments in securing sensitive information resonated
deeply with me, especially considering the growing threats to businesses and individuals
today.

          One of the clinic’s most engaging and unexpected aspects was the use of design
thinking. This approach pushed me outside my comfort zone and inspired me to think
differently. Each lesson began with enjoyable, engaging games such as telling a one-word
story and listing seven items in a category. At first, I could not necessarily see how these
games might be relevant to cybersecurity, but they rapidly taught me that creativity and
teamwork are essential in tackling complicated challenges. These activities not only drove me
to think rapidly, but also forced me to collaborate in new ways with my colleagues, which I
believe will be useful in future projects.

          A key highlight for me was the ability to collaborate with a team to create a
cybersecurity prototype for the City of Houghton’s IT team. We were charged with assessing
their SQL server for potential security concerns and detecting flaws that could expose their
systems. Although this was not a comprehensive implementation, building the prototype and
proposing alternatives provided me with practical knowledge in how cybersecurity experts
tackle these difficulties. It emphasized the value of collaboration and innovative thinking in
establishing effective methods to overcome complex security concerns.