US Cyber Games  FAQS

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 program will run from April to October 2021 and consist 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.

May 28: Virtual Summit Kick-off 11 AM - 3 PM (virtual event, speakers)

May 28–June 11: US Cyber Open CTF (2 weeks)

June 10: Last day for athletes to apply

June 7: Coach Application Deadline

End of June: Invite Top 60 to Cyber Combine

July 9–September 3: US Cyber Combine Invitational (competitions/training/interviews/testing)

October 5: Announce US Cyber Team (20 players)

June 14-17, 2022: International Cybersecurity Competition (ICC) in Athens, Greece

Athlete applications for the 2021 season are now closed.

Applicants must: 

• Be a US citizen aged 18-26
• Have experience or interest in online cyber competitions 
• Have access to a laptop or PC with a modern web browser and internet connection
• Complete the online application
• Be excited about competing in the first US Cyber Open

Applicants who wish to be considered for the US Cyber Team 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
• Willing and able to travel abroad

Affiliation with a cybersecurity collegiate program is not required.

• A unique opportunity to obtain training, networking, and even potential employment opportunities. 
• Validation of your current cyber skills.
• Learn and apply best practices in areas such as reconnaissance, cryptanalysis, operations security, and forensics/malware analysis. 
• Digital Badges to show a tangible certification for social profiles, applications, and resumes. 
• Travel to Greece as the first-ever team to compete at the international level. 
• Cyber Athlete swag and bragging rights.

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.

Throughout September, the Coaches and Advisory Board will meet to select the Top 20 cyber athletes invited to join the first-ever 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 2021-2022 US Cyber Team athletes were announced on October 5, 2021.

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. 

• All Coaches will be US-based adults with academic and professional cybersecurity experience.
• Coaches will need a valid passport as of September 2021.
• Coaches will apply to be on the US Cyber Team by completing an application process. 
• The Advisory Board will select the Head Coach and work with them to create a full coaching team. 
• Coaches will come from different schools or organizations to ensure one school does not take multiple spots and dominate the competition. 
• Volunteer commitment is for one year/season.
• Coaches will not be paid for their time. If they travel, flights and accommodations will be covered based on fundraising. Coaches will be able to state that they have coached the first-ever US Cyber Team and will be recognized online, in promotions, and in press releases. A digital website sticker will be shared with them and their colleagues that they can use on websites to demonstrate their support.

The time commitment for coaches will vary as follows.

• June–July: Approximately 4 hours per week spent going through their own coach verification/application and  meeting with and scouting athletes
• July: Approximately 2-4 hours per week for reviewing scores and reviewing athletes during the Combine Invitational
• August–September: Approximately 4-6 hours per week for interviewing athletes, working with athletes, and narrowing down which athletes should compete or be an alternate
• October–December: Approximately 4-6 hours per week in training the athletes and coaching and mentoring them until ICSC

Coaches should be aware that their travel will be paid for but their time is voluntary.

Coach applications for the 2021 season are closed

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 symbolizing guardian.
• Morse code on the sides stating Train.Compete.Win.
• The torch symbolizing knowledge.
• The key representing cryptography and information.
• The shield representing 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.