By US Cyber Challenge
Former CIO of the Department of Homeland Security, Luke McCormack, Acknowledges Achievement
North Las Vegas, NV, August 3, 2018 – Earlier today, a couple dozen elite hackers congregated in North Las Vegas to compete in the U.S. Cyber Challenge (USCC) Capture-the-Flag competition, which was the final activity of a week-long intensive cybersecurity boot camp program. The winning team included Douglas Nguyen, Joshua Ambrose, and Andrew Meserole. Each of the winners were awarded an education voucher from (ISC)2 and a scholarship from the Center for Internet Security (CIS) at the award ceremony immediately following the competition. The camp took place at Cheyenne High School and was co-hosted by Southern Utah University.
Luke McCormack, former Chief Information Officer for the Department of Homeland Security, addressed the participants in his keynote speech and gave them advice and encouragement as they pursue careers in cybersecurity. “First, I want to urge all of you to work in the public system,” stated McCormack. “There is so much to do! …And always go for the opportunity and experience. Don’t make decisions based on the money.” McCormack expanded upon the opportunities working in the public sector and how they should all stay current on technology and never be afraid to ask for help.
Camp participants qualified for the camp based on their scores from the online Cyber Quest competition held last April. The camp’s programming included intensive classwork in penetration testing, radio frequency hacking, program analysis and memory forensics. The mission of USCC is to identify rising talent in cybersecurity, provide these individuals with further training, and set them on the path to a successful career in cybersecurity and protecting our nation.
The Western Regional Cyber Camp was supported in part through partnerships with Accenture, Amazon Web Services, the Association for Federal Information Resources Management (AFFIRM), Center for Cyber Safety & Education, Center for Internet Security (CIS), CenturyLink, Cyber Ninjas, Defense Point Security LLC, the Department of Homeland Security, Duo, (ISC)2, Monster Government Solutions, NIC, SANS Institute, and Sherman Consulting. Local sponsors included Net Force and Casino Game Maker Inc.
The 2018 Cyber Summer Camp Series featured four camps located in Delaware, Illinois, Nevada and Virginia. In line with the mission of USCC’s parent organization, the Center for Internet Security (www.CISecurity.org), the camps are an integral part in the mission to identify and develop cybersecurity talent in order to reduce the nation’s cybersecurity workforce gap and safeguard private and public organizations from cyber threats. Participants in USCC programming are encouraged to continue developing their skills and network with like-minded individuals by becoming active members in CyberCompEx.org, an online social community specifically for cybersecurity enthusiasts.
For more information about the Cyber Camp program and each of the specific camps, visit U.S. Cyber Challenge online at www.uscyberchallenge.org.
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About U.S. Cyber Challenge:
U.S. Cyber Challenge (USCC) is a program supported by the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate through a contract with the Center for Internet Security, a 501(c)3 organization, and has the mission to significantly reduce the shortage in the cyber workforce by serving as the premier program to identify, attract, recruit and place the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. USCC’s goal is to find 10,000 of America’s best and brightest to fill the ranks of cybersecurity professionals where their skills can be of the greatest value to the nation.
Visit Us Online: www.uscyberchallenge.org