Register For National High School Cyber Defense Competition

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Registration for the nation's largest cyber defense competition for high school students closes in a month. Nearly 400 schools in 47 states have already organized teams, so don't forget to sign up your team for the ultimate cyber game of the year!

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Established by the Air Force Association, CyberPatriot was created to excite, educate and motivate the talent that will become our country's next generation of cyber leaders. It aims to inspire high school students to consider careers in cyber security or other science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future.

In this national competition, students get to control simulated computer networks, learning to defend and protect computer systems from cyber threats and potential hackers. CyberPatriot's unique structure provides students hands-on learning about technology, emphasizing teamwork and leadership, and exercising critical-thinking skills.

But most importantly, it's fun!

A CyberPatriot team consists of two to five students and a coach, but neither coaches nor students need any special technical background. CyberPatriot provides the training materials needed to prepare a team for a successful competition.

Preliminary rounds are conducted online from the teams' home locations. The competition has a tournament-style tiered structure, so teams advance based on scores each round until the top 24 teams are identified. Those top qualifying teams then receive all-expenses-paid trips to the CyberPatriot National Championship Competition held in the Washington, DC area, in March 2012.

The only cost to teams is a $350 entry fee, which includes access to the software and participant materials. CyberPatriot also offers support and technical expertise from industry leaders, including CyberPatriot's presenting sponsor Northrop Grumman!

ALL U.S. high schools or approved home school programs are invited to participate. Public, private, charter, parochial and home schools register in the Open Division, while Junior ROTC units of all Services and Civil Air Patrol squadrons register in the All Service Division.

Registration closes October 8, 2011. Check out more information at www.usCyberPatriot.org!

The AFA is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA has over 200 chapters nationally and internationally representing 120,000 members. Visit www.AFA.org.