CyberPatriot Open Division Completes First Round

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CyberPatriot IV's Open Division completed their first preliminary round this past weekend, with more than 400 high school teams registered to play the role of systems administrators. Competitors learned how to prevent cyber intrusions and fortify computer networks.

Established by the Air Force Association (AFA), CyberPatriot is the nation's largest high school cyber security challenge. This unique competition was designed to give students a hands-on learning experience in cybersecurity and inspire students to consider science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in their studies.

In this two-track competition, teams have registered from public, private, parochial and home schools in the Open Division and JROTC units of all Services and Civil Air Patrol squadrons filled the All-Service Division. In all, more than 1,000 teams have registered to participate this year. The competition has teams representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Department of Defense Dependent Schools in both Europe and the Pacific, and Canada.

During the six hours of competition, the Open Division teams controlled simulated computer networks, learning to defend and protect computer systems from cyber threats and potential hackers. Team scores are based on how many things you fix and how quickly you fix them in the allotted time.

The composite score of the first and second preliminary rounds will determine which teams advance to Round 3 (the Round of 36 teams). Following that, the top 12 qualifying teams then receive all-expenses-paid trips to the CyberPatriot National Championship Competition held in the Washington, D.C. area, in March 2012.

"There was an incredible amount of enthusiasm displayed by the Open Division competitors during this first round of competition," said Bernie Skoch, CyberPatriot Commissioner. "Students are learning about computer protocols, accessing computer systems and preventing hackers from getting into networks – and they are genuinely excited about the experience they are getting."

Preliminary rounds for the competition are conducted online from the teams' home locations. The next round for the All Service teams will start on December 2, while the Open Division's will begin on December 16.

CyberPatriot is presented by the Northrop Grumman Foundation, with founding partners SAIC and the CIAS at the University of Texas-San Antonio. CyberPatriot is also 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.

More information on CyberPatriot can be found at www.usCyberPatriot.org.

The AFA is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA has over 200 chapters nationally and internationally representing 120,000 members. Visit www.afa.org.

SOURCE Air Force Association