CyberPatriot’s National Youth Cyber Defense Competition challenges teams of high school and middle school students to find and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities in virtual operating systems. During the competition, teams take on the role of newly hired IT professionals tasked with managing the network of a small company. Through a series of online rounds, teams are given a set of virtual machine images and must find and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities while maintaining critical services.
Each team has two challenges during their six-hour competition period:
- The Network Security Challenge involves finding and fixing security vulnerabilities in Windows and Linux operating systems.
- The Cisco Networking Challenge consists of an online quiz and a virtual networking exercise based on specific training material
Using a proprietary competition system, teams are scored on how secure they make the system. Top teams advance through the online round of competition, and the best of the best advance to the in-person National Finals Competition, where they can network with sponsor representatives and earn national recognition and scholarship money.
Based on the competitor composition, a team is assigned to one of three divisions:
- Open High School Division: Open to all high schools, scouting units, Boys and Girls Clubs, and approved high school home school programs across the country
- All Service Division: High school JROTC Programs / Civil Air Patrol units / Naval Sea Cadet Corps units
- Middle School Division: Open to teams of middle school students
Location(s)
- All rounds of competition, except for the National Finals Competition, take place online. Teams may meet at and compete from any location – classroom, computer lab, public library, home, etc.
- Teams qualifying for the National Finals Competition travel all-expenses paid to Bethesda, MD in the spring.
Schedule
- Exhibition Rounds: Basic practice rounds available during the summer months - May to August
- Training Round: A basic practice round that includes an answer key - September
- Official Practice Round: Final practice round before the scored rounds begin - October
- Scored/Live Rounds: Competitions take place on specified weekends throughout the school year. Scored rounds are held one weekend a month from October to January. Teams choose any four-hour period during the competition weekend (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) to complete all their work.
Cost/Compensation
- All fees are the responsibility of the participating organization
Eligibility Requirements
- Teams of between two and six students in middle school or high school.
- Each team must have an adult coach who is approved by a participating organization to act as the administrative lead of a CyberPatriot team. The coach is the main point of contact for competition-related correspondence. A team can only have one coach.
Deadline
- Teams must be registered by October
- Competitors must be added to team rosters by late October
- Registration must be paid by mid November
Application or Entry Requirements
- Team coaches must register teams online (up to 5 teams per coach).
- Coaches are responsible for adding team members and paying team registration.
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
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The Air and Space Forces Association (AFA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the United States Air Force and Space Force. Founded in 1946, the AFA plays a vital role in advocating for the country's aerospace capabilities, technological advancements, and national security. It actively engages with members, veterans, and the public to promote awareness and understanding of aerospace power, cyber, and space domains. The AFA provides educational programs, scholarships, and networking opportunities, fostering the professional development of individuals associated with the Air Force and Space Force. Furthermore, the AFA serves as an advocate for these military branches in Congress, working to shape policies and secure resources necessary for their continued defense of the nation and advance of aerospace and cyber capabilities.
