CyberPatriot V's All Service Division Completes First Round of Competition

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CyberPatriot V – National High School Cyber Defense Competition has completed the first round of competition for its All Service Division, which consists of teams from Junior ROTC, Civil Air Patrol and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.  During Friday and Saturday, November 2 – 3, competitors were scored on how well they strengthened their assigned simulated computer systems by finding and fixing security issues. The round was also the inaugural run of the new CyberPatriot Competition System (CCS), a new cyber training model.  For the first time teams could receive real-time feedback of their scores along with a report of the scored problems they correctly solved.

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) fields in their studies. It also offers support and technical expertise from industry leaders, including CyberPatriot's presenting sponsor the Northrop Grumman Foundation.

More than 350 CyberPatriot teams competed online from the United States and as far away as the Department of Defense Dependents Schools in Germany, Japan, and Korea. Civil Air Patrol's (CAP) Iredell Composite Squadron, from Statesville, North Carolina, was the first team to compete at 9:00 am, Friday morning. Misawa Air Base, Japan's Robert D. Edgren High School's Junior ROTC unit was the final team to compete on the system.

"Our team was focused and enthusiastic about the competition on Friday," said Lt. Kristin Osborne, coach for CAP's Iredell Composite Squadron. "Some of the cadets plan on using the knowledge that they are gaining from the CyberPatriot program to pursue a career in cyber defense."

According to CyberPatriot Commissioner Bernard Skoch, the CyberPatriot Competition System performed even better than planned.  "Not only did the competitors receive real-time information on their scores, but the competition staff was able to determine when scored problems were fixed and the lengths of time that teams took to complete their competition periods," Skoch said. "This new system allows for more detailed feedback to the competitors that will enhance the educational value of the competition. It's a true asset in our goal to develop career- and college-ready young adults."

CyberPatriot's founding partners are CIAS at the University of Texas-San Antonio and SAIC, whose CyberNEXS system hosts the National Final Round, which will take place in March 2013.

CyberPatriot's Open Division, which consists of high schools, will compete online during November 16-17, 2012. More information on CyberPatriot can be found at www.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 108,000 members. Visit AFA at www.afa.org.

SOURCE Air Force Association