NY030 Cadets Compete in Cyber Security Competition

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Cadets from the Civil Air Patrol Orange County Squadron recently tested their ability to defend a computer network against cyber-attacks.

The National Youth Cyber Defense Competition is known as CyberPatriot.  It was created by the Air Force Association (AFA) to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future. 

The Orange County cadets earned 212 of a possible 300 points in the competition.  The local cadets placed in 3rd out of 9 New York Civil Air Patrol teams. 

“Preparing for the competition taught us invaluable skills to protect our homes and squadron from cyber-attacks” said Team Captain and Squadron Cadet Commander Cadet 1st Lieutenant Brian Connell. 

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. 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.

The national youth cyber defense competition is an online, tournament-structured event in which teams of 2-6 students are scored on how well they identify and secure known vulnerabilities on a virtual network. Through a partnership with Cisco, they are also tested on a networking curriculum and are required to build secure, virtual networks. All rounds of competition, except for the National Finals Competition, take place online

Cisco defines Cybersecurity as the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyberattacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users; or interrupting normal business processes.

CyberPatriot, the nation’s largest and fastest growing youth cyber education program, is AFA’s flagship STEM program dedicated to strengthening cyber skills among students. The program features the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition for high school and middle school students, AFA CyberCamps, and an Elementary School Cyber Education Initiative.

Additional Information about the CyberPatriot program may be accessed at: https://www.uscyberpatriot.org/Documents/Fact%20Sheets/CyberPatriot%20Program%20Brief.pdf

View our press release: Local CAP Cadets Compete in Cyber Security Competition