By the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE)
Georgia public-school students are once again invited to use their creativity to promote safe and responsible online behavior as the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), in partnership with Georgia Leaders of Educational Technology (GLET), opens submissions for the fourth annual Cybersecurity Poster Contest.
Open to Georgia public-school students in kindergarten through grade 12, this year’s contest challenges students to create original artwork inspired by the theme, “Building a Cyber Strong America.” Entries are due by October 31, 2026, and winners will be recognized at the February 2027 State Board of Education meeting. First-place winners will receive a prize and have the opportunity to meet State School Superintendent Richard Woods.
“Preparing students for success means equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate an increasingly digital world safely and responsibly,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “Through this contest, students aren’t just creating artwork, they’re learning habits that will serve them throughout their education, careers, and everyday lives. I encourage every eligible student to participate and look forward to celebrating their creativity and commitment to building a cyber-strong America.”
Now in its fourth year, the Cybersecurity Poster Contest continues to encourage students to think critically about digital citizenship and to express their ideas through original artwork. By encouraging students to think creatively about cybersecurity, the contest helps reinforce the skills needed to build a cyber-strong America—one informed digital citizen at a time.
For many students, the lessons learned through the contest extend well beyond creating a poster. Participants say the experience has changed how they think about online safety, inspired them to share what they’ve learned with others, and even sparked new interests in cybersecurity.
Participant Stories
Fourth-grade student Anaisha Taran said the contest helped her develop practical online safety habits she now shares with others. “I learned about creating strong passwords, being careful while clicking on links, and protecting personal information online,” Anaisha said. She now teaches her younger brother and friends what she learned and encourages other students to participate because “it is fun and helps us learn new things.”
For ninth-grade student Minakshi Chilagani, creating a poster sparked curiosity beyond the classroom. “There was a lot of information I gained reading through various articles, which would be a huge help for myself and for people around me,” Minakshi said. Minakshi hopes other students participate because she believes cybersecurity education presented through art can have a lasting impact on children and adults alike.
Ninth-grade student Tazzariah King said the contest provided valuable lessons she will carry with her long after high school. “Participating in this contest taught me far more about cybersecurity than I expected, especially when it comes to recognizing potential threats,” Tazzariah said. Although she does not plan to pursue a career in cybersecurity, she believes the experience gave her practical digital safety skills that everyone should have.
The contest’s impact extends into classrooms as well. Bremen Middle School teacher Terri Lynne Barrington said involving 75 students in the competition allowed them to combine creativity with meaningful learning. “I am excited to show my classes and students what taking something seriously and working hard for something can lead to,” Barrington said. She plans to display her student’s award-winning poster in her classroom to inspire future participants while continuing conversations about responsible online behavior.
Learn More
Students, parents, guardians, and educators can find contest rules, eligibility requirements, submission requirements, and additional information on the GaDOE Cybersecurity webpage. This year’s theme, “Building a Cyber Strong America,” encourages students to explore the importance of cybersecurity through original artwork.
