Frequently Asked Questions

The US Cyber Games was founded by Katzcy, in cooperation with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The first season's program ran from April to October 2021 and consisted of the US Cyber Open, the US Cyber Combine Invitational, and the selection of the first-ever US Cyber Team™ to represent the United States at the International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC) held in Athens, Greece in June of 2022.

Learn more at www.uscybergames.com/about. 

According to the November 7, 2019 edition of Information Security Solution Review, there is currently a talent gap of over 500,000 skilled and knowledgeable employees in the cybersecurity workforce. Our mission is to bring together elite cyber athletes, coaches, and industry leaders to help scout, train, and send a US Cyber Team to the International Cybersecurity Challenge. This program will help inform and inspire the broader community on ways to develop tomorrow’s cybersecurity workforce.

• April 29, 2022 - Call for Athletes and Coaches Open
• June 3, 2022 - Call for Coaches Ends
  Deadline to apply: June 3, 2022, 11:59 PM ET
• June 30, 2022 - US Cyber Open Virtual Kick-Off Event
• July 1-10, 2022 - US Cyber Open CTF
  Deadline to register to play: July 4, 2022, 11:59 PM ET
• July 4, 2022 - Call for Athletes Ends
• July 28, 2022 - US Cyber Combine Virtual Kick-Off Event
• July 28, 2022 - Coaches Announced
• July 28, 2022 - Top 60 US Open Combine Invitees Notified
• August 5-September 5, 2022 - US Cyber Combine Invitational 
• October 17, 2022 - US Cyber Team Draft Day

Athlete applications for the US Cyber Games Season II are open between April 29 and July 4, 2022.

To play in the US Cyber Open CTF, applicants must:

• Complete the online application
• Have experience or interest in online cyber competitions
• Have access to a laptop or PC with a modern web browser and internet connection
• Be excited about competing on the US Cyber Team

Applicants DO NOT need to be students or part of any collegiate cybersecurity program.

Applicants who wish to be considered for the US Cyber Combine and US Cyber Team:

• Must be 18 to 24 years old (by December 31, 2023, be a US Citizen with a valid US passport, and have a willingness to travel.
• Should enjoy competing in real-world scenarios to test your aptitude and abilities.
• Have a willingness to learn and invest the time for world-class coaching.
• Like teaming with others with solid communications skills.
• Want to learn from world-class cyber skills coaches.

• Obtain training, networking, and even potential employment opportunities.
• Validate your current cyber skills.
• Learn skills in areas such as reconnaissance, cryptanalysis, operations security, forensics analysis, and malware analysis.
• Earn digital badges as a tangible certification for social profiles, applications, and resumes.
• Athletes chosen for the US Cyber Team will compete on behalf of the United States at the international level.
• Show off your Cyber Athlete Swag.

Individuals seeking an exciting career or to continue to improve their skills can look in no better field than that of cybersecurity. 

• Constant Growth: The current demand for cybersecurity professionals in the public and private sectors is making employers scale up and out. If you’re ready for a challenge, the opportunity is there for you.
• Interesting variety: This profession requires you to work in many different situations and with the latest technologies. The broad skills needed make cybersecurity an attractive profession for people from all sorts of backgrounds.
• Intellectual Puzzles: While you’ll learn best practices and principles, there’s always something new to learn and always a new opportunity to excel. 
• Ongoing Fulfillment: You’re preventing real criminals from taking advantage of your friends and family, as well as schools, businesses, and more.

From August 5 through September 5, 2022, the Coaches and Advisory Board will meet to select the Top 20 cyber athletes invited to join the Season II US Cyber Team.

Athletes will be evaluated based on application, aptitude, interview, effort, attitude, and skill. The final US Cyber Team will be purposely diverse bringing different backgrounds and skills to play key roles on the team.

The Season II US Cyber Team will be announced at the US Cyber Draft on October 17, 2022.

Cyber athletes who successfully complete the US Cyber Open and are invited to participate in the US Cyber Combine will receive training from the coaching staff. Assigned coursework will include both self-paced individual and team-based exercises. The coaching staff will guide the athletes’ progress through a series of increasingly difficult activities in which athletes will learn both offensive and defensive tactical concepts. The training will demand the athletes demonstrate their technical abilities via training courses, challenges, and virtual labs. The Team of top 20 elite cyber athletes will progress to more advanced training to help them better prepare to function as a cohesive team.

The International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC) encourages students and young professionals to pursue a career in cybersecurity by providing them with an opportunity to compete and collaborate with others in the cybersecurity industry across the globe. 

The ICC competition (formerly called the European Cyber Security Challenge) has been hosted by ENISA since 2016. Starting with the 2021-'22 competition, ENISA will expand the Challenge and welcome select teams from countries outside the European Union. 

Learn more about the ICC here.

• All coaches and assistants will be US-based adults, with an academic background and/ or professional cybersecurity experience.
• Coaches will need a valid passport and the ability to travel internationally.
• Coaches will be chosen from various schools and organizations to best ensure diversity in athlete selection and training support.
• Coaching positions are volunteer-based. Coaches will not be paid for this commitment, and coaching terms are for one year/ one season.
• Travel for coaches, including flights and accommodations, will be covered based on US Cyber Games fundraising and sponsorship dollars.
• Coaches will be able to state that they have coached the US Cyber Team and will be recognized online, in promotions, and through press releases.

Coaching positions demand an average of approximately 4 hours per week, but may fluctuate throughout the season.

Coach responsibilities include:

• Scouting cyber athletes.
• Designing learning and training opportunities for cyber athletes.
• Developing a learning and training schedule for cyber athletes.
• Reviewing athlete performance and scores.
• Training, coaching, and mentoring cyber athletes.
• Selecting the US Cyber Team.

Coach applications for Season II of the US Cyber Games are being accepted from April 29 to June 3, 2022.

Developed in collaboration with 2021–22 CTF Coach Jasmine Jackson, the US Cyber Games Accelerated Training Program is a limited seat, by coach invitation only, program for US Cyber Combine athletes who demonstrate drive and potential but may benefit from additional cybersecurity training and mentoring. The program aims to better train and mentor individuals interested in cybersecurity professions.

This exclusive training program will allow athletes to take part in a six-month training program that includes small group mentorship with the coaches and can be renewed based on participants’ continued dedication and progress. Athletes who perform well in the program are automatically invited to the next season’s US Cyber Combine.

A Scholarship Program has been designated for an exclusive subset of these athletes that includes:

• 90-day access to HackTheBox (HTB) and TryHackMe (THM) software
• 90-day access to Offensive Security’s PEN-200 course with OSCP exam voucher

The US Cyber Games Accelerated Program has been established to identify high-potential athletes who would benefit from special access to cybersecurity education, training, and mentoring.

Participation in this program is by coach invitation only.

• The slight cross line symbolizes guardianship.
• Morse code on the sides stating Train.Compete.Win.
• The torch symbolizes knowledge.
• The key represents cryptography and information.
• The shield represents the USA and protection.
• The SOARing eagle for aspiration, freedom, victory, and also Security Orchestration Automation and Reporting.

The US Cyber Open and US Cyber Combine Invitational will be held in a virtual format to ensure safety.