Local Civil Air Patrol cadets place first in national competition

A team of Civil Air Patrol cadets from Gainesville placed first in the state for Platinum Tier  in the CyberPatriot VIII National Finals Competition.

 

Since 2009, CyberPatriot’s National Youth Cyber Defense Competition has challenged teams of two to six students to harden simulated computer systems and resolve real-life cybersecurity situations faced by industry professionals. According to a press release from the Gainesville squadron, the competition provides students hands-on experience securing computer networks while exciting, educating, and motivating them toward careers in cybersecurity and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

 

Led by 2LT Todd Robertson, Mentor Juan Roque, and Assistant Coach Capt Amy Auger,, the Gainesville Composite Squadron Regal Eagles practiced and competed against 46 teams in the state as well as others nationally beginning in fall of 2015. 

 

In all, more than 3,300 teams registered to participate in CyberPatriot VII, marking more than 55% growth to the competition field from last season. Registered teams represented all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and U.S. Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Europe and the Pacific.

 

Following two preliminary rounds in November and December, CyberPatriot VIII teams were categorized within their divisions as Platinum, Gold, or Silver Tier, teams, with Platinum Tier teams representing the highest scoring teams and the only teams eligible to advance all the way to National Finals. During an additional two elimination rounds, the Gainesville Composite Squadron Regal Eagles team demonstrated the teamwork, critical thinking skills, and technical knowledge necessary to distinguish itself from other teams.

 

According to the release, CyberPatriot greatly benefits from the support and technical expertise of its presenting sponsor, the Northrop Grumman Foundation. Other sponsors include Cyber Diamond Sponsors AT&T Federal, Cisco, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Microsoft; Cyber Gold Sponsors Facebook, Riverside Research, Splunk, and Symantec; Cyber Silver Sponsors Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Leidos, Air Force Reserve, and University of Maryland University College.

 

For more information about CyberPatriot, go to www.uscyberpatriot.org.