CyberPatriot Announces Teams Advancing to the National Finals Competition

ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After three impressive preliminary rounds, 28 teams of high school students have advanced to the National Finals Competition of the nation's largest and fastest growing high school cyber defense competition – CyberPatriot V!

CyberPatriot—The National High School Cyber Defense Competition, 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. The unique structure helps to prepare college- and career-ready students with not just technical skills, but also invaluable experience in teamwork, leadership, and critical-thinking. Competitors also gain great insights and technical expertise from industry leaders, including CyberPatriot's presenting sponsor, the Northrop Grumman Foundation.

This year's finalists represent Alabama, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia. Two teams from Manitoba, Canada will also compete at the National Finals Competition as International Exhibition Teams.

To view the list of advancing All Service Division teams, click here. To view the full list of advancing Open Division teams, click here.

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, US Naval Sea Cadet Corps squadrons and Civil Air Patrol squadrons filled the All Service Division. In all, more than 1,200 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 semifinal round of competition, which was held January 11-12, 2013, all 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.

All advancing teams receive all-expenses-paid trips to the CyberPatriot National Finals Competition held in the Washington, DC area, in March 14-16, 2013. The National Finals Competition is powered by SAIC's CyberNEXS, a high-level cyber training and exercise model that is used to help cybersecurity professionals learn to protect critical data assets. At the National Finals Competition, Cisco will conduct the "Networking Event." During the event, teams will be timed and scored on their ability to operate and secure a basic network.

CyberPatriot's founding partners are SAIC and the CIAS at the University of Texas-San Antonio. More information is available at www.uscyberpatriot.org or from the CyberPatriot staff at info@uscyberpatriot.org.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage.  To accomplish this, we:

• EDUCATE the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure U.S. national security.
• ADVOCATE for aerospace power and STEM education.
• SUPPORT the Total Air Force family and promote aerospace education.

AFA has 200 chapters nationally and internationally representing more than 105,000 members.  Visit AFA at www.afa.org.

SOURCE Air Force Association