Over A Thousand Young Cyber Security Enthusiasts Registered and Competed in CyberQuests 2012

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The U.S. Cyber Challenge (USCC) has completed its CyberQuests competition. The online competition, conducted in collaboration with the SANS Institute, featured a series of quiz questions based on analysis of a packet capture file which participants analyzed on their own machines, searched for signs of attack, and assessed other activity. The top scoring participants will now be invited to one of USCC's Summer Cyber Camps where they will develop their skills under the tutelage of cyber security instructors, compete in a capture-the-flag exercise with other campers, and meet with companies and organizations who are hiring cyber security professionals. State-specific camps are being offered in Southern California and Delaware, while regional camps will be hosted in Northern Virginia and California's Bay Area.

Over a thousand college students and young professionals registered and competed for CyberQuests 2012.  The winner was Enjolokee Jones of New Castle, Delaware. Mr. Jones finished with a score of 96.23 out of 100 and in a time of 0:55:14.

After the announcement of the winner, Elayne Starkey, Chief Security Officer for the State of Delaware stated, "Delaware is emerging as a hotbed for cyber security talent and we are very proud of Mr. Jones efforts in CyberQuests 2012."

Top performers at the summer camps are also eligible to compete for scholarships provided by (ISC)2.

W. Hord Tipton, Executive Director of (ISC)2 stated, "Cyber security youth outreach and engagement programs such as the USCC's CyberQuest competition, and the (ISC)2 Foundation's Safe and Secure Online program, are making substantial strides in filling the pipeline of the next generation of industry professionals."

"We are pleased to see an increasing amount of participants in US Cyber Challenge programs, including this year's CyberQuest competition. Our country is in great need of cyber security professionals and we are proud to be a facilitator of the growth and development of this field," stated Karen Evans, National Director of US Cyber Challenge. "We strive to find talented individuals, develop their skills in cyber security, and help them find jobs with companies who are looking for highly skilled cyber security professionals." 

Cyber Quest is one of several initiatives underway through USCC, a national public-private partnership focused on identifying and developing cyber security talent to meet the country's critical cyber security workforce needs. Cyber Quests is supported in part through sponsorships with Juniper, Avue Technologies, Safegov.org and partnerships with SANS Institute, Booz Allen Hamilton, Cal Poly Pomona, San Jose State University, Delaware Tech, the University of Delaware, Wilmington University, and Virginia Tech.

About U.S. Cyber Challenge:
The mission of the U.S.Cyber Challenge (USCC) is to significantly reduce the shortage in the cyber workforce by serving as the premier program to identify, attract, recruit and place the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

USCC's goal is to find 10,000 of America's best and brightest to fill the ranks of cybersecurity professionals where their skills can be of  the greatest value to the nation.

For more information, please contact Rudy Pamintuan at [email protected] or 312-961-4710.

Media Contact: Rudy Pamintuan of Sherman Worldwide, 312-961-4710, [email protected]

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SOURCE U.S. Cyber Challenge