LAUSD Students Prepare for Round 2 of Cyber Defense Competition

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eleven LAUSD student teams are preparing to ward off cyber attacks and repair weaknesses in computer networks, which will be necessary to advance in the nation's largest high school cyber defense challenge this Saturday.

CyberPatriot, an education initiative produced by the Air Force Association, is a one-of-a-kind cyber defense competition designed to introduce students to cyber security. It provides high school students hands-on learning about cyber defense in a fun and exciting environment.

On December 11, students in the competition's Open Division, which consists of public, private, parochial and home schools teams, will race against time and their opponents to quickly find and effectively correct vulnerabilities in virtual networks to advance to Round 3, the last round before the finals.

"There's an incredible amount of enthusiasm for cyber security displayed by these students as they compete, and we are thrilled about their response," said Bernie Skoch, CyberPatriot Commissioner. "These students are doing something that is both exciting and challenging, and we wish all the teams the best of luck."  

Due to LAUSD's Beyond the Bell (BTB), LAUSD has more teams in the next qualification round than any school district in the nation. BTB is committed to helping students realize their potential, encouraging youths to stay in school and inspiring learning and achievement beyond the regular school day and curriculum.

"One of our best CyberPatriot team members grew up in a disadvantaged family. He never had strong support," said Carey Peck, a principal analyst for BTB. "Until CyberPatriot came along he never had regular access to a computer, but now he does, and he has been posting some of the highest scores in the nation. He will be a star, and CyberPatriot opened the door for him."

CyberPatriot will host its finals at the Gaylord National Convention Center in Washington, D.C. in April 2011, in conjunction with AFA's Cyber Futures Conference and Technology Exposition.

CyberPatriot is presented by Northrop Grumman, with founding partners SAIC and the CIAS at the University of Texas-San Antonio. More information can be found on CyberPatriot at www.uscyberpatriot.org.

AFA is a 501(C)(3),nonprofit organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA has over 200 chapters nationally and internationally representing 120,000 members.

SOURCE Air Force Association

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