Everything You Need to Know About CyberPatriot’s National Youth Cyber Defense Competition

If you are a high school student interested in computer science and cybersecurity, the CyberPatriot’s National Youth Cyber Defense Competition should definitely be on your radar! Organized by the Air Force Association, this annual competition challenges teams of students to manage the security of virtual networks and systems. You will engage in rounds that simulate real-life cybersecurity situations, involving tasks like finding and addressing security vulnerabilities in a variety of operating systems and software. 

Participation in CyberPatriot can significantly bolster your college application by showcasing your commitment to and proficiency in cybersecurity. Colleges often look for applicants who not only excel academically but also demonstrate an interest in their intended field of study through extracurricular activities. 

To make your search into this competition easier, we have created a Cyberpatriots guide below, detailing its pros, cons, and our honest review! 

What is CyberPatriot's National Youth Cyber Defense Competition?

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.

Each team has two challenges during their four-hour competition period:

• Network Security Challenge: involves finding and fixing security vulnerabilities in Windows and Linux operating systems.

• Cisco Networking Challenge: consists of an online quiz and a virtual networking exercise based on specific training materials.

Who Can Participate? 

Team Members: 

• Coach: An adult (e.g. teacher, JROTC instructor, administrator, parent, etc.) approved by a participating organization to act as the administrative lead of a CyberPatriot team. The coach is the main point of contact for competition-related correspondence. A team can only have one coach. 

• Competitors: Each CyberPatriot team must consist of two or six competitors enrolled in the participating school or organization. While up to six students are permitted on each team's roster, a maximum of five students are permitted to compete at any one time during a competition round. A one-time substitution can be made each round.  

• Technical Mentor(s): IT-experienced individuals who volunteer to assist in the cybersecurity training of CyberPatriot teams. Mentors must register on the CyberPatriot website and are required to successfully complete a background check before being eligible to join a team officially. (Minimum age: 18)

• Team Assistant(s): Adult volunteers who provide non-technical support and encouragement to the team (assisting with scheduling, set-up, snacks, etc.). Team assistants must register on the CyberPatriot website and pass a background check. (Minimum age: 18)

Divisions:
Based on the competitor composition, a team is assigned to one of three divisions:

• Open Division: High school students from schools, scouting units, Boys and Girls Clubs, home school programs, STEM programs, etc.

• All Service Division: High school students in JROTC Programs / Civil Air Patrol units / Naval Sea Cadet Corps units

• Middle School Division: Middle school students from schools, scouting units, boys and girls clubs, STEM programs, etc.

Where will the competition take place? 

All rounds of competition, except for the National Finals Competition, take place online. Teams may meet at and compete from any location – classroom, computer lab, public library, home, etc.

Teams qualifying for the National Finals Competition travel all-expenses paid to Bethesda, MD, in the spring.

What is the application timeline? 

The application timeline has not been updated for the 2024 competition year yet, but here are some tentative deadlines based on 2023’s timelines:

Team Registration

• Period: April 1 – October 3, 2024

• Details: Teams must register within this period to gain access to the competition rounds. Registration fees are $225 for Open Division high school teams and $175 for Middle School division teams. 

Note that teams created before July 1 receive a 20% discount ($180 for Open Division and $140 for Middle School Division. Teams only need to register to lock in the discounted rate. They have until November 6th to pay.​ Fees are waived upon request for Title I School (must provide proof of status - e.g. signed letter from school administrator) and all-girl teams (must have competitors added to roster). Fees are automatically waived for JROTC, Civil Air Patrol, and Naval Sea Cadet Corps teams.

Exhibition Rounds

• Period: May to August

• Details: Basic practice rounds are designed to provide initial training and allow teams to familiarize themselves with the competition format.

Training Round

• Month: September

• Details: A basic practice round that comes with an answer key to help teams learn and understand the solutions to the challenges posed.

Official Practice Round

• Month: October

• Details: The final practice round before the scored rounds begin. This round is crucial for teams to refine their strategies and skills in preparation for the competition.

Scored/Live Rounds

• Period: October to January (one weekend per month)

• Details: These are the official competition rounds. Teams must select any four-hour period during the designated competition weekend (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) to complete all their tasks. These rounds are scored and contribute to the team’s overall standing in the competition.

Is it prestigious?

The CyberPatriot competition is recognized as both highly competitive and prestigious within the realm of cybersecurity education. Annually attracting over 25,000 student participants from across the United States, the contest exemplifies excellence and challenge, with fewer than 1% of these competitors advancing to the finals. The distinction of reaching this stage is a big accomplishment, and finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Maryland. Finalists will also have the opportunity to compete for scholarship money.

What is the structure? 

The CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition is designed to challenge and educate students across 3 divisions: the Open High School Division, the All Service Division for JROTC and Civil Air Patrol units, and the Middle School Division. Here's a streamlined overview of the competition's structure:

Preparation Phase

Before the competition begins, teams access essential training materials through the CyberPatriot website. This includes a special course from the Cisco Networking Academy available in September, which is crucial for the Cisco Networking Challenge. Teams are advised to ensure they meet the minimum technical requirements and download large virtual machine images a week in advance, preparing for the competition's technical demands.

Competition Phase

The competition occurs online, with each team choosing a six-hour period during designated weekends from their local setups (schools, homes, libraries). The competition involves:

• Network Security Challenge: Identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities in Windows and Linux operating systems.

• Cisco Networking Challenge: An online quiz and a virtual networking exercise.

Teams earn points by effectively managing cybersecurity tasks and answering forensic questions about their strategies. An online scoreboard provides real-time feedback but is confirmed after staff review.

Post-Competition

Once the competition concludes, teams must delete all virtual machine images to maintain integrity. Official scores and standings are released within a week, following a thorough review by CyberPatriot staff.

Pros:

1. You will be able to explore the various career options within Cybersecurity.

By engaging in this competition, you'll gain early exposure to the field of cybersecurity, a rapidly growing and increasingly important industry. This experience can help you decide if a career in cybersecurity is right for you and provide a foundation of skills and knowledge that are highly valued in the tech industry.

2. You will gain advanced technical skills.

Through the competition’s structured challenges, you will develop advanced technical skills, particularly in managing and securing networks and operating systems. You will learn to navigate and secure Windows and Linux environments, critical skills in many IT and cybersecurity roles.

3. You will be better prepared for future studies.

The competition can be an excellent preparation for college-level computer science and cybersecurity courses. The hands-on experience and problem-solving skills you develop can significantly advantage you in rigorous academic programs.

4. You will have access to more scholarship opportunities.

Success in the competition can lead to scholarship opportunities that can make higher education more accessible. Scholarships provide financial support and enhance your academic profile as a recipient of a nationally recognized award.

5. You will naturally develop a greater set of soft skills.

Beyond technical skills, the competition promotes the development of crucial soft skills like teamwork, time management, and strategic thinking. You will learn to collaborate effectively with peers, manage time under pressure during competitions, and devise strategic approaches to complex problems—skills that are highly transferable and sought after in any career path.

Cons:

1. The competition requires a significant time commitment.

The competition requires a substantial amount of time for preparation, training, and participation. Balancing this with your regular schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments can be challenging. You might find it difficult to manage your time effectively, which could lead to stress or burnout.

2. Participating might lead to technical challenges and frustrations.

The technical nature of the competition can be daunting, especially if you are relatively new to cybersecurity. The steep learning curve might lead to frustrations if you struggle with complex concepts or encounter difficulties applying theoretical knowledge practically during the competition rounds.

3. The competition is extremely resource intensive.

Participating effectively in CyberPatriot requires access to specific hardware and software, which might involve significant costs or logistical challenges. Not all schools or individuals have ready access to these resources, which could limit your ability to prepare adequately or compete on an equal footing with better-equipped teams.

4. You will be under a lot of pressure and competition stress.

The competitive environment, while motivating, can also be a source of pressure. The desire to excel, especially in prestigious and high-stakes competitions like CyberPatriot, might increase stress levels. This can affect your performance in the competition and your overall well-being.

Our Review

We recommend the CyberPatriot’s National Youth Cyber Defense Competition for all high school students interested in cybersecurity. The competition's structure, designed to mimic real-world cybersecurity challenges, offers you a practical, hands-on experience that is both educational and engaging. The competition is divided into several rounds, allowing you to progressively build on your skills and apply them under the pressure of competition conditions. This unique format is an excellent opportunity for you to gain a deep understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices as well as a great way to bolster your college applications.

Despite the registration fees associated with the competition, the investment can be highly rewarding. The prestigious nature of CyberPatriot not only recognizes top talent with awards and scholarships but also offers all participants the chance to connect with like-minded peers and industry professionals. These networks can open doors to future educational and career opportunities in the field of cybersecurity. Regardless of your current skill level, we believe this competition is worth participating in and has many benefits. 

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