Insights

The largest component of the program, the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and critical-thinking skills as teams learn how to defend and protect computer systems from cyberspace threats.

“We are pleased to be able to support a competition that gives hands-on cyber defense experience to America’s youth,” said Dr. Harold Arata, Director of the Cyber Center of Excellence at Riverside Research. “Ultimately, this national event is a fantastic way to engage, educate, and excite students to play an active role in keeping America strong, safe, and free by securing our nation’s cyberspace.”

This year’s competition, CyberPatriot VI, will culminate on March 26-30 in Washington, DC, where 26 teams of high school students and two teams of middle school students compete for top honors at the national cyber defense competition. CyberPatriot continues to experience remarkable growth year-after-year, making the program a tremendous STEM outreach vehicle. This season, more than 1,500 teams from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, DOD Dependent schools in Europe and the Pacific, and Canada registered to participate in the competition.

The CyberPatriot program is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors. Riverside Research, a Cyber Gold Sponsor, will also contribute cyber-related professional services in support of the competition and advocation for the program.

“As a not-for-profit company with roots in academia, we understand the imperative to develop the next generations of the national technical workforce," said Richard Annas, Riverside Research President. “The AFA has done a tremendous service to this nation in terms of creating genuine excitement about STEM in our youth. We are indeed honored to support CyberPatriot.”