Our Story

The risk starts young. That's what led us to schools.

NexGen Secure was built from professional experience, not assumption. Years of work in cybersecurity and online safety revealed a clear gap: cybersecurity education and digital citizenship need to start much earlier — especially as students engage with connected devices at younger and younger ages. Schools are where that change begins.

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The Reality

The digital world moved fast.
Education is catching up.

These aren't hypothetical threats. This is the current state of digital safety in education — and why NexGen Secure exists.

< 1 in 5
U.S. schools offer students dedicated cybersecurity coursework — most graduate never having taken one
CISA K-12 Cybersecurity Report · CYBER.ORG
95%
Of successful cyber breaches trace back to human error — behaviors that can be taught early
IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index
3.5M+
Cybersecurity jobs projected to go unfilled globally — a pipeline problem that starts in K–12
ISC² Cybersecurity Workforce Study

The gap isn't a technology problem. It's an education problem. And it starts in school.

Chase Matheson
Chase Matheson
Founder & CEO
01 — Where It Started

Built From Experience, Not Assumption

NexGen Secure did not begin with a business plan. It began with a pattern that became impossible to ignore.

Years of work in cybersecurity and online safety made one thing clear: students are engaging with the internet earlier than ever, yet structured education around cybersecurity and digital citizenship rarely keeps pace. Connected devices, apps, and platforms are part of daily life long before formal guidance catches up.

That pattern pointed to a gap worth closing. The earlier students build cybersecurity awareness and strong digital citizenship habits, the better prepared they are for an increasingly connected world. And the most natural place to reach them early? Schools.

Schools had the intent but often lacked the time and resources. Parents had the concern but not the curriculum.

NexGen Secure was built to close that gap. Not through fear-based warnings or one-time assemblies, but through structured education that meets students where they are and grows with them.

02 — The Founder

A Foundation in Education and Security

Chase Matheson is a graduate of Gwinnett County Public Schools and Georgia State University. In 2017, he was recognized as a Gwinnett County Technical Student of the Year honoree, an award program that highlights the district's top technical education students.

That early foundation in both education and technology, combined with professional experience in cybersecurity operations, shaped the vision behind NexGen Secure.

The platform was built from a simple belief.

"Students deserve the same level of preparation for the digital world as they receive for the physical one."
— Chase Matheson, Founder & CEO, NexGen Secure
03 — The Platform

Designed for the Whole School

NexGen Secure serves every grade band from kindergarten through 12th grade, with age-appropriate learning experiences that evolve as students grow.

Younger students develop digital awareness through guided and interactive lessons designed to build safe online habits. As students progress, the platform introduces real-world cybersecurity concepts through structured labs, simulations, and problem-solving challenges.

The result is a platform that does more than teach cybersecurity. It builds the kind of digital confidence that parents value, teachers trust, and students carry with them long after the classroom.

Students do not just learn about cybersecurity. They develop the awareness, judgment, and confidence needed to navigate a digital world that will only grow more complex.
The Mission

Closing the Gap Between
Technology & Education

Students are immersed in digital environments earlier than ever. Technology has advanced rapidly, but education systems weren't built around social platforms, AI tools, and constant connectivity.

This isn't about blame. It's about alignment. Digital safety should begin early, not reactively. Cybersecurity should be introduced as opportunity, not intimidation.

NexGen Secure exists to close that gap, with curriculum structured in alignment with the CYBER.ORG K-12 Cybersecurity Learning Standards.

K-12
Full grade coverage from kindergarten to senior year
4
Age-appropriate learning pathways
31+
Hands-on labs for grades 9-12 alone
100%
Privacy-first design built in alignment with COPPA & FERPA standards
What Guides Us

Core Values

The principles behind every decision we make

Privacy First

Trust is foundational. Student data protection isn't a feature. It's a promise. Every architectural decision starts here.

Supportive Partnership

Educators are adapting to a rapidly evolving digital world. We reinforce that work with structured, modern resources that fit naturally into the classroom.

Engaging Learning

Cybersecurity education should empower students through curiosity and confidence, never through fear or intimidation.

Accessible to All

Every student deserves access to digital safety education, regardless of district size, budget, or geography.

Measurable Growth

Skill development should be visible, practical, and transferable far beyond the classroom walls.

Career Pathway

Cybersecurity should feel achievable, not distant. Early exposure expands what students believe is possible for their future.

Join the NexGen Secure Pilot Program

Applying takes just a few minutes. Selected schools receive early access to the platform and a direct role in helping shape cybersecurity education for students everywhere.

Apply for Early Access Contact Us