CyberPatriot Workshop
New Coach Training
AGENDA
• Intros - name, school, job title + why interested
in CP. Also, any other contests?
• CyberPatriot Overview - who, what, where,
when and why
• Equipment and Virtual Images
• CyberSec 101 - tips for scoring points
• Exhibition Round with online scorebot
- aka “Play to Win” - prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd!
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CyberPatriot Overview
What is it?
“CyberPatriot is the premier national high school
cyber defense competition created to inspire
high school students toward careers in cybersecurity or other
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
disciplines critical to our nation’s future.”
CyberPatriot was born in 2009 as a response to the
Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative which
has twelve recommendations for securing America’s digital
infrastructure.
Number 8 = Expand Cyber Education
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CyberPatriot Overview
What is it?
• IMPORTANT  it is a cyber defense competition
• Students learn to “harden” a computer system
• This means closing down vulnerabilities so that the system
is secure against malware or hacker attacks.
• The news is full of data breaches - Target (40M CC #s)
Community Health Systems (4.5M patient records) - and
DOS attacks against US banks.
CyberPatriot teams train to stop these breaches / attacks
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CyberPatriot Overview
Where is it?
• All activities for CyberPatriot are held in your school’s
facilities - or alternate site approved by your school.
• Classroom
• Media Center
• Gymnasium
• Parent’s office conference room
• Local library activity space
• The key to the space is
access to Internet and
electricity (and permission to
have food!)
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CyberPatriot Overview
Who is it?
• Team = 2 to 6 students who are enrolled in your school
- max 5 play during a round
• Coach = adult staff member approved by school
- primary responsibility is coordination and safety of
students as to training times, space, etc.
- may coach up to 5 teams (max total of 30 students)
• Team Assistant/ Mentor = person with technical
knowledge, may be staff or parent or outside volunteer
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CyberPatriot Overview
STOP - let’s talk about money
• Cost = $195 per high school team
$155 reduced rate for registration before 7/1
IF you are an ROTC team the fee is covered already
• IF you have an all-girl team = no fee
• Can submit exemption request for Title I school
• You get a lot for your money!
• Access to MSDNAA for software downloads
• SWAG! Official bag, T-shirt, coin and competitor’s pin
• Possible free trip to Nationals in Baltimore, Md
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CyberPatriot Overview
When is it?
• Practices = scheduled by coach just the same as school
sponsored activities
• Competition Events = 3-4 per year (details next slide)
- 6 hour window to complete the round
- must be consecutive hours - once you start, must finish
- scoring open from Friday to Sunday *
• National Finals - 4 days held at Gaylord Hotel in Wash
DC. ALL EXPENSES paid trip including transport & meals
for 6 team members, 1 coach, 1 assistant/mentor.
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Dec 5-7
Oct 24-26
Jan 16-18
Nov 14-16
Mar 11-15
EVERY TEAM participates in Round 1 and Round 2
Combined scores determine tier - Platinum, Gold or Silver
EVERY TEAM gets at least 3 chances to compete
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Why participate in CyberPatriot?
#1 Careers - an opportunity for students to get foot in the
door to pursue rewarding careers with huge hiring
potential in next decade.
#2 STEM - CyberPatriot has proven to expand student
interest in STEM curriculum, especially computer science
#3 College - great for the resume especially when applying
to technology focused colleges. Also, scholarship and
internship opportunities given to CP team members.
#4 Your School gets a chance to shine - cybersecurity is a
hot topic for the media AND a chance for state and
national trophies and recognition.
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HOW?
Here is a short list of tasks to get you to Round 1.
1. Register as a coach
2. Recruit students
3. Confirm space with Internet / electric / food allowed
4. Confirm equipment and software
5. Use CP resources and mentor (optional) to train team
6. Use Practice Round to solidify knowledge
7. Learn - Compete - Win!
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