The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA)–Blue Angels Pensacola Chapter hosts CyberThon 2017 at the National Naval Aviation Museum and National Flight Academy on board Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, Jan. 20–22.
CyberThon has grown to become the Gulf Coast’s largest Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and Cybersecurity event of the year. This weekend event encourages and promotes a community culture of cyber awareness and collaboration between Government, industry and academia, created to grow Pensacola’s IT and cybersecurity workforce.
CyberThon brings together community leaders, cyber experts and a cadre of cyber competitors from local schools to witness and participate in realâ€world cyber operations and defense methods.
Teams of high school and college students are placed in the position of first responders for cybersecurity threat detection and response within an online banking environment, designed by Navy Federal Credit Union. With mentoring and guidance from local cyber experts, teams will acquire hands on experience with security tools and defense tactics.
Using a Jeopardy-style framework, teams earn points by answering questions, finding cybersecurity vulnerabilities and hardening the IT infrastructure of First Federation Credit Union.
Also this year Elementary and Middle School students representing twelve schools will participate in special cybersecurity STEM activities.
CyberThon 2017 Opening, Closing and Awards Ceremonies will be held at the National Naval Aviation Museum. Adjacent to the Museum is the National Flight Academy, host to the main competitive event and cybersecurity STEM activities.
Friday, Jan. 20
8:00 am – National Flight Academy Open for Check In – All Check In (students, Volunteers, Mentors, VIPs etc.)
9:00 am – Aviation Museum – Open for Seating
9:30 am – Aviation Museum – Opening Ceremonies Begin
11:30 am –National Flight Academy – Lunch and Team Meetings
2:30 pm – Aviation Museum – Opening Ceremonies Continue
4:00 pm – Aviation Museum – Opening Ceremonies Completed
Saturday, Jan. 21
8:00 am – National Flight Academy Open for Check In – All Check In (T-shirts to be distributed)
8:30 am – National Flight Academy – Cyberthon Competition Begins (Round 1)
11:45 am –National Flight Academy – Lunch
12:30 pm –National Flight Academy – Cyberthon Competition (Round 2)
3:45 pm – National Flight Academy – Student Pickup
4:00 pm – National Flight Academy – Team Lead Debrief
Sunday, Jan. 22
8:00 am – National Flight Academy Open for Check In – All Check In
8:30 am – National Flight Academy – Cyberthon Competition Begins (Round 3)
11:45 am –National Flight Academy – Lunch
1:00 pm – Aviation Museum – Closing Ceremonies Begin
1:30 pm – Aviation Museum – Awards and Recognitions
2:00 pm – Aviation Museum – Student Pickup
2:30 pm – National Flight Academy – Team Lead Debrief (following Closing Ceremonies)
Guest Speakers at Friday Opening Ceremonies and Sunday Closing ceremonies include:
Mr. Ray Murphy, VP Information Security, Navy Federal Credit Union.
Dr. Ray Letteer, Senior Information Security Official (SISO), United States Marine Corp.
Mr. Joseph Campbell Senior Industrial Security Specialist, Defense Security Service.
Mr. John Felker, Director, National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, Department of Homeland Security.
Mr. Bill Hills, Executive Vice-President and Chief Information Officer, Navy Federal Credit Union. (Sunday Closing Ceremonies)
CyberThon Competitors Rrepresent:
George Stone Technical Center
Gulf Coast State College
University of West Florida
Pensacola State College
Home School
Pace High School
Pine Forest High School
Tate High School
West Florida High School of Advanced Technology
During Cyberthon, Middle School and Elementary School students will be participating in special Cybersecurity STEM Activities. These Participants Represent:
Avalon Middle School
Bailey Middle School
Bellevue Middle School
Brown Barge Middle School
Home School
Ransom Middle School
Sims Middle School
Warrington Middle School
Woodlawn Beach Middle School
Bellevue Elementary School
Hellen Caro Elementary School
Little Flower Catholic School
Elementary and Middle School Schedule of Events:
Friday, Jan. 20
9:00 am – National Flight Academy – Elementary School Students Arrive
9:30 am – National Flight Academy – Elementary School Cybersecurity STEM Initiative
10:30 am – Aviation Museum – Elementary School Recognition Ceremony
1:00 pm – National Flight Academy – Middle School Students Arrive
1:30 pm – National Flight Academy – Middle School Cybersecurity STEM Initiative
2:30 pm – Aviation Museum – Middle School Recognition Ceremony
Saturday, Jan. 21
8:00 am – National Flight Academy – CyberSAFE Students Arrive
8:30 am – National Flight Academy – CyberSAFE Certification Test Preparation Begins
11:45 am – National Flight Academy – Lunch
12:30 pm – National Flight Academy – CyberSAFE Certification Test Begins
3:30 pm – National Flight Academy – CyberSAFE Certification Test Complete
Sunday, Jan. 22
8:00 am – National Flight Academy – CyberSAFE Students Arrive
8:30 am – National Flight Academy – CyberSAFE Students Introduction to Cyberthon Gameplay
1:30 pm – Aviation Museum – CyberSafe Awards and Recognitions
A detailed Event Guide can be viewed at: http://www.afceapensacola.org/images/CyberThon2017Schedule.pdf
Security Alert – If you do not have a DOD ID – Enter the base via the Blue Angel Parkway gate.