Continuing to build the next generation of cyber talent through competition
By Michael Howell, Associate Chief, Office of the Chief Learning Officer
Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is excited to announce our sponsorship of the US Cyber Team®, Season III. CISA has been a sponsor of the US Cyber Team since Season I in 2021. Founded by Katzcy in cooperation with the NICE program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the US Cyber Games is a national cybersecurity competition that aims to identify, nurture, and showcase the nation's top cyber talent. CISA’s partnership with Katzcy is a force-multiplier to inspiring the next generation of cyber talent, long before they enter the workforce. We’re dedicated on building a comprehensive strategy to identify – and develop – the best pipelines for cyber talent.
Growing the Cyber Workforce Talent
Selection for the US Cyber Team is highly competitive, as cyber-athletes go through an experience akin to a football combine. Prospective team members participated in the US Cyber Open June 1, 2023, and select athletes received invitations to join the US Cyber Combine, which ran from July 7 to Sept. 1, 2023.
In the combine, athletes undergo an aptitude evaluation, interview with coaches, train in cybersecurity skills, and compete in an advanced Capture The Flag (CTF) cyber competition. Coaches will then select the top thirty athletes to join the US Cyber Team, Season III. Athletes selected to compete on the team will be announced at the US Cyber Team Draft Day Oct. 16, 2023. The athletes will then begin training for the next International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC), where they will compete in real-world cybersecurity scenarios, demonstrate problem-solving abilities, technical acumen, and teamwork. The US Cyber Team, Season III will compete as part of the US Cyber Games®, in the International Cybersecurity Challenge in 2024.
Inspiring the next generation
The U.S. Cyber Games offers mentorship, resources, and recognition for outstanding participants, empowering them to make a significant impact in the field. CISA’s sponsorship of this competition demonstrates our commitment to cyber education, development and complements our other workforce development initiatives aimed at expanding both the current and future pool of cybersecurity talent, including the Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP), the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program, and the CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) program. We know that competitions such as the US Cyber Games will inspire more individuals to pursue careers in this rapidly evolving and exciting field.
For more information about the US Cyber Games and ICC, please visit: www.uscybergames.com.