CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program. At the center of CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. The competition puts teams of high school and middle school students in the position of newly hired IT professionals tasked with managing the network of a small company. In the rounds of competition, teams are given a set of virtual images that represent operating systems and are tasked with finding cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the images and hardening the system while maintaining critical services in a six hour period. Teams compete for the top placement within their state and region, and the top teams in the nation earn all-expenses paid trips to Baltimore, MD for the National Finals Competition where they can earn national recognition and scholarship money.
“One of the main cyber-risks is to think they don’t exist. The other is to try to treat all potential risks."
- Stephane Nappo
The Competition
What Do I Need to Know?
The competition goes over the 2 main operating systems: Windows and Linux.
CyberPatriot focuses on the following distributions:
Windows 8.1
Windows 10
Ubuntu 14.04
Ubuntu 16.02
Debian 8
Along with these operating systems, competitors are also competing in networking through Cisco's Packet Tracer. Quizzes on Networking are also included.
Your Determination drives your team towards success
Teamwork is key in all competitions
The competition runs 6 hours long Staying focus is crucial
Although this competition is meant to bring awareness towards cyber-security, it doesn't mean it shouldn't be fun!
Teams
There are a large number of teams already signed up for CyberPatriot!
Map best viewed on Microsoft Edge
TESTIMONIALS
Don't believe us? Hear from others about their experience with CyberPatriot Taken from AFA CyberPatriot Website
"The CyberPatriot program has been an outstanding experience for me and my students for each of the four seasons I have been a coach, and every year I have students whose lives are changed by the opportunity the program provides. Not only have my students learned teamwork, planning and organization, and leadership skills during practice and competition, they have also gained an understanding of the grave threat our society faces from cyber attack, and many of them have decided to make computer science or cyber security their focus in college. Our country needs future leaders who understand the challenges we face and who have the skills to meet these challenges. I'm very proud to be a part of the CyberPatriot Program, and to help create those future leaders."
-Amy King, CyberPatriot Coach
Douglas MacArthur High School
"CyberPatriot has expanded my knowledge and experience with system administration, security, and networking. It incorporates tasks required by those seeking a career in most computing fields and provides real-time feedback on how you perform. It also helps you to plan, prepare, and work well with a team, just as one might in their future endeavors. The use of strategy and time management are critical and the program makes you utilize these effectively. I would recommend CyberPatriot to students."
-Dillon K., CyberPatriot Competitor
Punahou School
"My son started with CyberPatriot not knowing anything about cyber security, the extent of his computer use was gaming and schoolwork. The CyberPatriot program has taught him essential skills for careers later in life as well as teamwork and leadership that he will take with him into the workforce. He is now looking into a degree in computer forensics and attaining his CCNA thanks to the Cisco portion of the competition. I highly recommend CyberPatriot for any teen interested in computer science."
-Amy Griswold, CyberPatriot Parent
Interested in Demonstration materials?
We have provide demo images and materials to help start CyberPatriot at your school/organization!
