Introduction to theAir Force Association’s CyberPatriot Competition

For Teachers and Administrators

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A nation-wide computer network defense competition for high school students

All schools are eligible:

What is CyberPatriot?

o Publico Private

o Chartero Parochial

o Homeo Overseas military Two “Divisions”

o “All Service” for Junior ROTC and Civil Air Patrol cadets

o “Open” for all other students and mixed (cadet + non-cadet) teams

oUp to 1,250 teams in each Division

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What Is CyberPatriot?

(Click image to start video)

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What CyberPatriot is NOT

A hacking contest

A recruiting program of the federal government or the military

A flash in the pan◦ 2011/2012 is CyberPatriot’s fourth year

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Why Do We Need CyberPatriot?

We are an “internet nation” Government networks probed or attacked

thousands of times every day Commercial networks face similar attacks

◦ Banking/financial industries, power grids, natural gas & petroleum distribution, and many more depend on computer networks

◦ “Anonymous” hacker-activists shut down Visa and MasterCard sites

◦ “Stuxnet” virus crippled Iranian nuclear industry Could it be used against friendly countries?

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Why Do We Need CyberPatriot?

American universities not producing enough computer-security graduates◦ The need will only grow in the future

Among 15-year-olds, America ranks◦ 17th in science performance◦ 25th in math performance◦ Out of 34 industrialized countries

We need to excite high school students about these subject areas◦ And all science, technology, engineering, and

math fields

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Teams consist of a “coach,” 2-10 students, and one or more “mentors”

The Coach ◦ Must be a school employee but not necessarily a

teacher◦ Does not have to be a computer security expert◦ Main jobs are:

Provide adult supervision to the team Be the liaison between the school and CyberPatriot Manage administrative details

CyberPatriot Teams

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The team◦ 2-10 students

Up to 5 compete in each round Others are alternates

◦ Grades 9 to 12 Minimum age is 13

◦ Girls encouraged!

Coach, alternate(s), & mentor(s) may observe but MAY NOT be actively involved during actual competition rounds

CyberPatriot Teams

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The Mentor◦ Team may have none, one, or many◦ May come from inside or outside the school

system◦ Are the subject matter experts on security

aspects of the Windows and Linux operating systems

◦ Your local AFA chapter is recruiting mentors now! You may, too

Lesson learned: mentors are vital for team success

CyberPatriot Teams

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CyberPatriot Timeline

All Service Division◦ Round 1: Oct 29 & 30◦ Round 2: Dec 3 & 4◦ Round 3: Jan 14 & 15◦ Finals: March 22-24

Open Division◦ Round 1: Nov 5 & 6◦ Round 2: Dec 17 & 18◦ Round 3: Jan 28 & 29◦ Finals: March 22-24

Team registration ◦ Opened April 1st, 2011◦ Will close in early October

Teams can begin studying right away Practice rounds begin in August Competition rounds:

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First 3 rounds ◦ Team downloads a password-protected file containing

a simulated network into a secure space inside their computer(s)

◦ Network contains: One or more simulated file server and workstation

computers running Windows or Linux operating systems

Each simulated computer has faults (viruses, trapdoors, key loggers, etc.) already installed

◦ Network & problems identical for all teams

◦ Networks get larger and more complex in each round

How Do CyberPatriot Teams Compete?

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Team has 6 hours to find and fix as many problems as they can

Progress monitored in real time◦ “% complete” feedback provided

◦ Final scores released the following week All teams compete in rounds 1 & 2

◦ Up to 1,250 start round 1 in each Division Only top 25% or so move on to round 3 Only 10 from each Division go to the semi-

finals

How Do CyberPatriot Teams Compete?

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How Do CyberPatriot Teams Compete?

Finals◦ 12 teams from each Division compete

In All Service Division, 2 each from Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps JROTC and Civil Air Patrol, plus the next 2 highest-scoring teams

In the Open Division, the top 12 teams from round 3

◦ In-person competition

◦ In Washington, DC, during AFA CyberFutures Conference ALL TRAVEL, LODGING & MEAL EXPENSES PAID!

◦ Champions crowned in each Division 2nd & 3rd place teams also named

Scholarships awarded to top 3 teams

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Teamworko Interpersonal & communication skillso Leadership & followershipoMutual respect & support

Problem solving Attention to detail Creative thinking Perseverance How to work under time pressure

What Does CyberPatriot

Teach Students?

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Community support◦ Support from local businesses, colleges, and

organizations can be life-changing experiences

Internship/summer-hire opportunities◦ Students (and possibly coaches) have chance to

get intern or summer-hire jobs

Computer donations◦ Supporting businesses may donate computers that

are more up-to-date than those your school has

How Else Can We Benefit?

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Registration fee◦ Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps JROTC & CAP: free!◦ Army JROTC & Open Division teams: $350

Considerably less than many other programs Team receives software licenses, t-shirts,

commemorative coins, and more worth ~$2,000 Your local AFA chapter may be able to help

◦ Due when you have a coach and team and are ready to commit to competing

What Do We Need to Participate?

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Hardware◦ Computers with:

Windows 2000 or newer or Macintosh 10.4.11 or later 1 GHz or better Intel CPU chip or Apple equivalent At least 20 GB free hard disk space At least 2 GB RAM Network interface card and appropriate modem for

broadband internet access (cable or DSL) AT&T providing “air phone” cards for schools without

broadband access

◦ Video projectors connected to computers recommended but not required

What Do We Need to Participate?

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Go to http://www.uscyberpatriot.org

Registration will be open until early October or all available slots in your Division are filled

How Do We Sign Up?

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Questions?