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    Sponsor: Ms. Kim Straub kastraub@madisoncity.k12.al.us

    The national youth cyber defense competition is an online, tournament-structured event in which teams of 2-6 students are scored on how well they identify and secure known vulnerabilities on a virtual network. Through a partnership with Cisco, they are also tested on a networking curriculum and are required to build secure, virtual networks.

    Students compete in three divisions:

    • Open Division: Open to all high schools, scouting units, boys and girls clubs, home school programs, and other approved youth organizations

    • All Service High School Division: JROTC programs / Civil Air Patrol / Naval Sea Cadet Corps

    • Middle School Division: Open to teams of middle school students

    After a series of online qualification rounds, the top teams advance to the National Finals Competition, an in-person event held in Baltimore, Md., each spring. Winners are awarded scholarships. When internships arise, a notification is sent out by email to all competitors and coaches notifying them of the opportunity. Not only is the competition fun and exciting, it also creates a career path for today’s students, fostering continued education from middle school through college and into the beginning of their careers.