Speaking at Google Study Jams
By Salvador Vincent Javier
Leading cybersecurity sessions at Google Study Jams — teaching 266+ members about security fundamentals, pen testing, and Red/Blue Team concepts.
When I was asked to lead the cybersecurity track at Google Study Jams for GDG PUP, I didn't just want to give another lecture. I wanted to give people something they could use.
The challenge? We had 266+ members, most with zero cybersecurity background. How do you take concepts like penetration testing, Red/Blue Team operations, and security operations centers — topics that take professionals years to master — and make them accessible to college students?
The answer: make it hands-on from day one.
Instead of starting with theory, we started with scenarios. "You're a security analyst. This network has been compromised. What do you look for?" From there, we worked backwards into the concepts.
Each session was structured around real-world problems. Session 1, Security Fundamentals: what does a cyberattack actually look like? We walked through real breach case studies. Session 2, Network Security: packets, protocols, and how attackers exploit them, with Wireshark demonstrations. Session 3, Red Team vs Blue Team: offense vs defense, both sides of the security equation. Session 4, Pen Testing Basics: in controlled environments, students ran their first vulnerability scans.
The response was incredible. Members who'd never opened a terminal were suddenly excited about nmap scans and firewall rules. Some started pursuing Google's Cybersecurity Certificate on their own.
Teaching isn't just about transferring knowledge — it's about transferring curiosity. If I can make someone curious enough to explore security on their own, that's more valuable than any single session I could give.
This experience solidified my belief: the best way to learn something deeply is to teach it.