After four months of competing in preliminary rounds, 12 teams of high school students have outplayed and outperformed hundreds of their peers, advancing to the National Finals Competition of the largest and fastest growing high school cyber defense competition – CyberPatriot IV!
CyberPatriot, an education initiative established by the Air Force Association, is a one-of-a-kind cyber defense competition designed to inspire students to consider science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in their studies. In addition, it teaches today’s youth how to become the next generation of cyber defenders while providing them hands-on learning about cyber security.
In this two-track competition, teams have registered from public, private, parochial and home schools in the Open Division, and Junior ROTC units of all Services and Civil Air Patrol squadrons filled the All Service Division. In all, more than 1,000 teams registered to participate this year, representing all 50 states, U.S. Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Europe and the Pacific, and Canada.
During their third and final round of competition, held last January 13, all service teams set out once again to defend virtualized networks of computers, continuing to build knowledge on improving computer networks and strengthening security features.
Teams were scored according to how quickly and effectively they established and maintained secure networks.
The All Service Division began with more than 600 teams registered. After two spirited rounds of competition, 40 teams advanced to Round 3. Now, the group has been narrowed to 12, and each team will receive all-expenses-paid trips to the CyberPatriot National Finals Competition held in the Washington, DC area from March 22 -24.
Round 3 of the Open Division competition will be held January 27-28. It will select the 12 teams from that division who will advance to the National Finals Competition as well.
CyberPatriot is a member of the U.S. Cyber Challenge (USCC), a national coalition of public-private sector entities collaborating to enhance the workforce with the next generation of cyber security professionals through skill development activities, mentoring, and resources, and the facilitation of scholarship, internship and employment opportunities.
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