The Safe and Secure Online scheme, which was launched in the UK in 2006, works with cybersecurity professionals from both sides of the public/private sector divide teaching about the various aspects of online security in classrooms.
Aimed at children aged 11 to 14, the programme teaches students how to protect themselves in an increasingly connected world, tackling concerns such as social networking, cyberbullying, viral emails, spam, identity theft and other security issues create by the IT-enabled world around us.
According to the ISC2 - which is now in its 20th year and has more than 63,000 certified members worldwide - the scheme addresses the gap in security advice that exists in children's safety outreach efforts.
For the US programme, the scheme mirrors that seen in the UK and uses compelling materials for the classroom developed by former school teachers and presented by certified information security professionals.
W. Hord Tipton, the executive director of the ISC2, said that, as the largest body of information security professionals in the world, ISC2's mission is to go beyond certifying security professionals and introduce responsible computing to computer users at an early age.
"We want to start with those at highest risk - children - many of whom have a firm grasp of how technology works but lack the savvy to know when they're putting themselves in jeopardy or someone is trying to take advantage of them," he said.
"Safe and Secure Online seeks to empower kids to safely navigate the Internet and mobile devices.:
According to the ISC2, whilst there are several existing programmes that address the cyber safety of the youth of the US, Safe and Secure Online engages certified experts and speaks to the children directly rather than to teachers, school administrators or parents.
To participate in the scheme, volunteers must be ISC2-certified members in good standing, which includes adherence to the association's strict code of ethics.
The Safe and Secure Online presentation was assembled by ISC2 with support from Childnet International, a charity that aims to make the Internet a safe place for children.
After its launch in 2006 in the UK, the programme was rolled out in Hong Kong in 2007 and then in A pilot programme in Washington State earlier this year.