BIRMINGHAM-On Wednesday, September 2 Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Johnnie Sharp, Jr., announced that the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) is the Birmingham Division recipient of the 2020 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). SAC Sharp presented the formal award to Dr. Kimberly Robinson, Executive Director and CEO, at a press conference today, September 22, 2021, at the USSRC in Huntsville, Alabama.
During 2020, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center (USSRC) continued to work to educate students from across the United States with U.S. Cyber Camp. Cyber Camp is the USSRC’s newest STEM program and allows trainees to delve into the world of cyber technologies through blended hands-on experiences and challenges developed in cooperation with the FBI. In Cyber Camp, high school- and middle school-aged trainees learn the ethics, challenges, and responsibilities of personal data security for safeguarding professional networks. The program balances individual instruction with team building.
Based on the relationship between the FBI’s Birmingham Division and the USSRC, a national partnership was developed with the FBI. In October of 2020, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the FBI and USSRC was signed significantly impacting the FBI mission, not only within north Alabama but nationally.
“The partnership between the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and the FBI will work to ‘plant the seed’ with young cyber talent,
encouraging them to consider the FBI and service to their country as a career,” said SAC Sharp. “The MOU and national partnership provide a new strategy in the FBI’s efforts to find innovative ways to work together with our private sector partners to prepare for and meet the cyber threat.”
Since 1990, the FBI has recognized individuals and organizations whose achievements in the terrorism, crime, drug, gang, or violence prevention/education field had an exemplary impact on the community. Each year, the SAC of each FBI field office selects an individual or organization that has made a major contribution in these areas.
For more information on the U.S. Cyber Camp visit their website: spacecamp.com/cyber.
Media Release/FBI Birmingham
Public Affairs Officer Paul E. Daymond
