The Air Force Association (AFA) has announced that over 500 teams are registered to compete in CyberPatriot V, the national high school cyber defense competition. Students in 47 states and Puerto Rico, as well as schools run by the Dept. of Defense in Europe and Asia, are participating in the contest to learn about science, technology, engineering and math.
Started in 2008, CyberPatriot teams compete online to defend a computer network from threats. The AFA said on its CyberPatriot website the contest is to educate people about cybersecurity, encourage student interest in STEM fields and “attract under-represented segments of the population and women to technical careers.”
Finalists will win a trip to Washington, D.C. for the CyberPatriot National Finals Competition in March.
“This time last year we had almost half as many teams registered, so to witness such tremendous growth in our program is exciting,” said CyberPatriot Commissioner Bernie Skoch. “Such growth also puts us in a great position to introduce so many more students to cyber defense, cyber careers and other aspects of operating in the cyber realm.”
Sponsors, such as the Northrop Grumman Foundation volunteer mentors and internship opportunities as well as scholarship money.
Registration for CyberPatriot V closes Sept. 30, and each team needs an adult coach.
The AFA is a military and aerospace education nonprofit, with 200 chapters throughout the world.
