Page 25 - Cybersecurity Career Guide for UT Austin

CYBERSECURITY CAREER GUIDE 25
PHOTOS COURTESY THE ORGANIZATIONS
US Cyber Games
The US Cyber Games are cybersecurity-meets-esport,
with a goal to inspire the next generation of cyber pro-
fessionals and recruit a killer team to represent the
US at the International Cybersecurity Championship.
Each year, the season starts with the US Cyber Open
Capture the Flag Challenge (CTF), where individuals
of all skill levels can play. In 2022, over 1,200 partici-
pants, ages 16-24, from 50 states and Washington,
DC, competed in this free, 10-day virtual event. The
contest consists of online cybersecurity challenges in
cryptography, cyber forensics, reverse engineering,
web, and more. Prizes are awarded in each CTF cate-
gory and to the overall champion.
From there, a diverse group of high-potential cyber
“athletes” is invited to participate in the US Cyber
Combine Invitational. It’s an 8-week period of evalua-
tion and assessment where they engage with other
athletes and the coaching staff, demonstrate their
technical and interpersonal skills via assignments and
challenges, and network with industry professionals.
A select group is then invited to the US Cyber Team to
compete in a variety of global virtual and in-person
scrimmages.
Participating in cybersecurity competitions offers
tremendous benefits to students. Head Coach Ken
Jenkins says, “We aim to develop the future cyberse-
curity leaders by immersing our athletes in an environ-
ment that emphasizes diversity, collaboration, and
career-focused approach.” Find out more at https://
www.playcyber.com/.
CyberPatriot Competition
Created by the Air Force Association and sponsored
by major cybersecurity companies and government
agencies, CyberPatriot challenges teams of students
to keep a virtual IT system functioning while finding
operating flaws and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
As Tamara Shoemaker, founder of the Michigan Cyber-
Patriot program, says, “The CyberPatriot program
reaches students where they are with competition
and games! It facilitates creative thinking, teamwork,
and hands-on project-based learning while instilling
sound judgment and ethics. Best of all, the CyberPa-
triot program is inclusive, with three levels of play, and
is not expensive to run.”
With thousands of teams in all 50 states, you should
be able to find a team nearby. There are three divisions:
Middle School, Open High School, and All Service. While
the All Service Division is limited to JROTC and other ca-
det corps teams, the Middle and High school divisions
are open — teams may include home-schooled stu-
dents, Girl or Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, or other
youth groups. Teams are limited to six but can be as
small as two! A coach is required, but a technical men-
tor is optional. Many teams and coaches come in with-
out experience. The local and state rounds of timed
events are held online, over several months, on week-
ends, with the national round taking place in person in
Baltimore, MD. If there isn’t one in your area, ask your
school counselor about putting together a team. For
more info, see https://www.uscyberpatriot.org.