Advance IT Minnesota, along with the Minnesota Cybersecurity Careers Consortium (a network of regional business partners), the Office of Enterprise Technology, State of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Department of Education, is sponsoring Minnesota high school students to compete nationally in the Spring 2012 Cyber Foundations competition.

IMPORTANT DATES

Module 1: Opens March 1st, but schools may contine to register through March 9th.

Registration closes March 9th.  All Minnesota high schools need to register through Advance IT Minnesota to enable their students to compete at no cost (for schools with 10 or more students).  The registration link is provided in the 'How to Participate' section below.  All Minnesota schools intending to participate must meet the September 30 deadline and register through Advance IT Minnesota, the officially designated state coordinator for this competition.

Module completion deadlines

• Module 1: March 16th
• Module 2: March 30th
• Module 3: April 20th

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

This cybersecurity competition offers the opportunity for schools to engage their students in one of the most dynamic and in-demand career areas today. The competition emphasizes a mastery of knowledge in topics central to information security, which is essential to maintaining the nation’s competitive edge and safeguarding national security. The competition quizzes are given to the students, who are allowed to work on them alone or in teams. Everything is open Internet, open book, and the winners are determined by the number of correct answers found in the least amount of time.

Students and teachers report that the tutorial material takes only 3 or 4 hours to review, although students that spend more time and do the exercises seem to get higher scores.

Students may prepare and compete without teacher involvement. US Cyber Challenge does not want to exclude talented young people who attend schools where IT-savvy teachers may not be available. 

The Cyber Foundations Competition is the entry-level competition in a series of increasingly challenging contests sponsored by US Cyber Challenge (USCC). USCC was chartered to identify and nurture talented young Americans who can become the future cyber policy leaders, cyber guardians and cyber warriors for United States companies, government agencies, and military services. Opportunities for students who do well in these competitions range from gift certificates and recognition by political leaders to internships and scholarships. For example, the U.S. Navy has authorized full-four year scholarships for high school students who excel in the US Cyber Challenge competitions.  Cyber Foundations has two parts: (1) on-line tutorial and video education materials that allow students to expand their knowledge, and (2) quizzes that allow students to demonstrate mastery. Three topics are presented and tested:  networking, operating systems, and system administration. Each topic has a separate set of educational materials and a separate test. Teachers may use the materials in class, but that is not required.  The three topical areas in the competition are representative of the foundation skills needed by any person hoping to become a skilled cyber professional. In addition, these three skill areas are in high demand throughout industry and government. The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics ranked jobs requiring these skills as the 2nd fastest growing in the United States between now and 2018, with 155,000 new jobs opening up (http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_103.htm). The potential rewards to students who pursue this career path cannot be overemphasized.

How to Participate

Press Release: Click here to download a one-page letter to Minnesota educators for outreach efforts and for communication within your school.

For internal promotion: Click here to download a promotional flyer for posting in your school.

Click here to REGISTER your school for the March, 2012 competition.  Registration is open now and remains open through March 9, 2012.  Module 1 online study materials are available starting March 1 for registered schools.  Advance IT Minnesota covers the $100 participation fee for any Minnesota public or private school with 10 or more students. If your school does not have 10 or more interested students, you may directly register by going to the national registration site.

What happens after you register:  Within one week, the school contact/coordinator will receive from Advance IT Minnesota a confirmation of acceptance as a sponsored school soon after registration.  The school coordinator will also receive online modules and competition access information directly from US Cyber Challenge.  Students then access, learn from and then take three online tests on their own time.  There is no coaching or other time required from the school coordinators, however educators can greatly improve the success of their students if they explain the subject areas and coach as needed. If you have any questions contact Ama Anika (ama.anika@metrostate.edu; 612.659.7230)