Registration for the 2024/2025 CyberPatriot Season XVII is closed! This program is open to students entering grades 9 -12.
CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association (AFA) to inspire students toward careers in cybersecurity and learning about securing computer networks.
The Museum hosts three teams of students.
CyberPatriot XVIII will run from approximately July 2024 - February 2025. It may extend longer if a team qualifies for nationals.
The frequency of meetings varies throughout the process: two times a month on Saturdays and one virtual meeting would be expected. Meetings, training rounds, and competition will be held at the NMUSAF (Dayton, OH). The only exception would be if the team qualifies for competition finals.
Previous experience with cyber technology is not a requirement. However, a strong dedication to learn and the willingness - and ability - to spend the effort and time is a must!
Applicants should have a strong desire to work on a team of students and be interested in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. They should also have the time and dedication to commit to this month learning and competition program. All materials and equipment will be provided to participants.
It requires a lot of work to be successful, but the rewards are numerous! Colleges and employers are looking for students with just the kind of experiences and skills that being on a Cyber Education Program team will develop. And working on computer programs is educational, fun, and promotes comradery!
At the center of CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition which puts teams of high school and middle school in the position of newly hired IT professionals tasked with managing the computers and network of a small company. Through a series of online competition rounds, teams are given a set of virtual operating systems and are tasked with finding and fixing cybersecurity vulnerabilities while maintaining critical services. Please go to the CyberPatriot website to learn more at www.uscyberpatriot.org/home* prior to making a decision to apply for an opportunity on this year’s team at the Museum.