Empowering Future Cyber Warriors: A Look Back at the 2024 CyberPatriot Summer Camp Series
COLUMBIA, MD (August 14, 2024) — The 2024 CyberPatriot Summer Camp series has concluded with great success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Civil Air Patrol, VG Systems LLC, A HUBZone Company, Dovestech LLC, and Maverc Technologies. Hosted by CyberPoint, these camps have proven to be a vital initiative in shaping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Held from June 24-28 and July 22-26, the camps took place at CyberPoint International's state-of-the-art facilities in Columbia, Maryland. Coordinated by the Col. Mary S. Feik Composite Squadron from Annapolis, the camps brought together a total of 24 high school students from various squadrons around Maryland. The program aimed to provide these young minds with hands-on cybersecurity training and introduce them to career opportunities within the Civil Air Patrol and the U.S. Air Force.
Each day of the camp ran from 8am to 12pm, focusing on mentored cybersecurity learning and skills application. Participants engaged in team-based exercises designed to enhance their understanding of teamwork, cybersecurity tools, concepts, and diverse skill sets integral to the field.
At the heart of CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, where middle- and high-school students are tasked with managing the network of a small company while identifying and fixing cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This competition culminates in a National Finals event, where top teams receive national recognition and scholarship opportunities.
The 2024 CyberPatriot Summer Camps were made possible through the generous support of various entities. Special thanks are Horace Jones of CyberPoint for providing the facility and infrastructure, and VG Systems for sponsoring print materials and snacks. The use of CyberPoint's facilities, including monitors and projectors, alongside VG Systems' graduation certificates and prizes, ensured a smooth and enriching experience for all participants.
The camps were led by Major Courtney Gallagher from the Col. Mary S. Feik Composite Squadron, supported by military cybersecurity professionals from the 341st and 315th Cyberspace Operations Squadrons based at Fort Meade, MD. A dedicated team of 17 instructors and assistant instructors, along with 9 Civil Air Patrol staff members, contributed to the program's success.
The results are impressive: student teams from both camps ranked in the top 25% of over 800 teams nationwide. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of the students and the commitment of everyone involved.
Reflecting on the success of the CyberPatriot Summer Camps, we are inspired by the unwavering commitment of our U.S. Air Force members and Civil Air Patrol staff. Their efforts in advancing the education and capabilities of future Cyber Warriors are truly commendable. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who played a role in making these camps a triumph. Together, we are paving the way for the future of cybersecurity.
About CyberPatriot
CyberPatriot is the world's largest National Youth Cyber Education Program, propelling K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity and other STEM disciplines, including the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. CyberPatriot is the Air & Space Forces Association's National Youth Cyber Education Program, created to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future. To learn more about CyberPatriot, visit https://www.afa.org/cyberpatriot/.
About CyberPoint
CyberPoint provides mission-critical, cybersecurity engineering services & software products to federal agencies and commercial enterprises, including threat analysis & digital forensics, risk assessment & planning, offensive cyber services, and AI/ML cyber solution development. CyberPoint works to create a future where individuals and organizations from across the globe can operate safely and securely in cyberspace and benefit from the technological innovations that increasingly connect our world. CyberPoint discovers the threats and vulnerabilities that expose data, systems, and infrastructure to compromise, quantifies risks, and designs defenses that provide critical protection.