Big Sioux CyberPatriot Team Awarded First Place State Award in Platinum Tier
Brookings – Big Sioux Composite Squadron’s CyberPatriot team was recently awarded the First Place state award in the Platinum Tier. The Platinum Tier is the highest level of competition in CyberPatriot, the Air Force Association’s National Youth Cyber Defense Competition.
Since 2009, the CyberPatriot competition has challenged teams of students to harden simulated computer systems and resolve real-life cybersecurity situations faced by industry professionals. The competition provides students hands-on experience securing computer networks while exciting, educating, and motivating them toward careers in cybersecurity and other STEM fields.
From Big Sioux’s performance in the first two rounds, the team was placed into the Platinum Tier. Big Sioux placed 156th of the 262 All Service teams and 48th of the 62 Civil Air Patrol (CAP) teams in the Platinum division.
Cadets on Big Sioux’s CyberPatriot team this year were C/Captain Isaiah Klosterman of Brandon, C/2nd Lieutenant Lydia Klosterman of Brandon, C/2nd Lieutenant Mitchell Trias of Estelline, and C/Senior Airman Tysen King of Volga. Captain Tyler Gross, Big Sioux’s Commander and a former Big Sioux CyberPatriot National Finalist team member, served as the coach for the team.
“CyberPatriot provides an excellent close-to-real-world environment that gives competitors a place to practice their cyber skills and the competition aspect serves to increase their excitement and motivation to learn,” said Captain Gross. “As someone who works in the cyber security industry, I’m proud of the work our team has put in to increase their cyber expertise and hopefully spark their interest as future cyber security experts.”
Big Sioux is planning on competing again next season, and all this year’s team members are planning on participating again in the competition. More cadets will hopefully join next year’s team. Cadets of all ranks can compete, even if they are new members of CAP. No prior computer experience is necessary. Preparations for the next CyberPatriot season start in May 2022.
In addition to the competition, CyberPatriot offers a variety of programs aimed at educating the public about the importance of cybersecurity. These programs include AFA CyberCamps, an Elementary School Cyber Education Initiative (ESCEI), a children’s literature series, CyberGenerations –a senior citizen cyber safety initiative, and a Tech Caregivers program designed to encourage cyber-savvy volunteers to give back to their communities.
CyberPatriot greatly benefits from the support and technical expertise of the program’s presenting sponsor, Northrop Grumman Foundation, along with Cyber Diamond sponsors AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, Boeing, Cisco, Microsoft, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Cyber Gold sponsors Air Force Reserve, BNY Mellon, Facebook, Symantec, and the USAA Foundation; and Cyber Silver sponsors the Air Force STEM, American Military University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Gannon University, Leidos, Mastercard, and University of Maryland Global Campus.
For more information about CyberPatriot, visit www.uscyberpatriot.org.
The CAP Cadet Program develops young leaders, ages 12 and up. Cadet members are challenged and rewarded with the confidence, self-worth, and accomplishment that comes from rising to the occasion and making a real and measurable difference.