K-12 + Higher Education

We get it, bringing cybersecurity into classroom discussions and after-school programming can be intimidating. You may be overwhelmed with questions like:

Where do I start?
What kind of resources or tools do I need to teach cybersecurity?
What if a student asks me a question I can’t answer?
At what age is it appropriate for students to be exposed to cybersecurity?
Or even, ‘What is cybersecurity in the first place?

We're here to help you learn more about the use of competitions and games to educate and prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

While education, certification, and apprenticeship are important training instruments, games provide a safe and legal place to practice offensive and defensive techniques in a real-world environment with others.

Cybersecurity games help a growing number of individuals realize that cybersecurity goes beyond initial thoughts of IT security controls by delving deeper into motives, tactics, techniques, and multi-pivot strategies. It helps us see that cybersecurity is about motives, not just controls.

Games remove the stigma of stereotypes associated with cybersecurity and open a path for players from all kinds of backgrounds, nationalities, education levels, and age groups to learn and grow. This infusion of diverse skills and mindware will contribute to up-leveling our cybersecurity workforce.

Games adjust to all skill levels and types. While red versus blue remains a favorite format, today's games can also be focused on policy, forensic puzzles, clue-based escape rooms, and jeopardy questions. This variety trains the workforce for defense in depth and breadth to enable comprehensive risk strategies.

Today's cyber strategies are about more than just finding needles in haystacks, they are about visibility into and across the surface of the haystack. Unlike traditional classroom teachings and labs, games can provide more real-life, immersive experiences that help athletes experience indicators and threats, and respond through the hands-on application of tools, techniques, and mitigations.

Download our poster and spread the word to your students.

Request a speaker to talk with you and your class or club.

Interested in having one of our coaches, athletes, and/or staff talk to you and your students?

We'd love to help you learn about the following topics:

Using cyber games to improve your skills.
How to create a cyber club or program at your school.
What it's like to play in a CTF (capture the flag) competition.
What it's like to be a member of the US Cyber Team.
What coaches look for in team members.
Skills you need for a career in cybersecurity.
The NICE Framework and cybersecurity work roles.
The US Cyber Games: An Overview + Season Timeline.

Presentation

Presentations are virtual unless a US Cyber Games speaker is located near your school.
Presentations are held via Zoom, but other virtual platforms can work based on preference.
Presentations can include multiple speakers.
Presentations are typically 45 minutes with 15 minutes of Q&A.
There is NO COST for a speaker.
We can provide US Cyber Games poster files and other printable resources for you to use around your school. Let us know what you require.