US Cyber Games FAQS
Frequently asked questions about the US Cyber Games will be updated often.
Who is behind the US Cyber Games & Team?
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 2021 International Cyber Security Challenge (ICSC) held in Athens, Greece in December.
Learn more at www.uscybergames.com/about.
What need does the program address?
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 Cyber Security Challenge. This program will help inform and inspire the broader community on ways to develop tomorrow’s cybersecurity workforce.
What is the program timeline?
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
What do I need to be an athlete?
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
- 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
What are the benefits?
- 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.
Why a career in cyber?
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.
Application Process
How can I register to compete?
Athlete applications for the 2021 season are closed
What are the costs involved in the program?
There are no costs to apply or join the team. Travel for athletes and coaches selected for the trip to Greece will be covered by the program. Participants will need money for food and incidentals.
How will I know I’m selected?
Both the information supplied on the application for the US Cyber Open and the performance results in the US Cyber Open will be used to select those athletes who will receive an invitation to the US Cyber Combine Invitational. Successful applicants will receive an email from the Program Coordinator with their invitation to the US Cyber Combine a few weeks after the US Cyber Open concludes.
Athletes and Coaches selected will be notified by email upon selection.
About the US Cyber Open
& Combine
US Cyber Open CTF May 28 - June 11, 2021
This FREE competition offers candidates aged 18 - 26 the opportunity to compete in a two-week online competition for the chance to be one of the 60 cyber athletes to receive an invitation to the US Cyber Combine Invitational.
Cybersecurity skills are in demand in the workplace, so if you’re interested in seeing how well you’re prepared to join one of the hottest areas, then apply to participate in the US Cyber Open. You’ll definitely walk away with a better understanding of how your cybersecurity skills match up. You may even win the chance to go to the US Cyber Combine or become a member of the US Cyber Team to compete at the ICSC in Athens, Greece.
The US Cyber Games, in collaboration with the US Cyber Range, will hold a two-week-long jeopardy style challenge covering a wide variety of games such as cryptography, networking, web applications, reconnaissance, and more. Point values corresponding with challenge difficulty will be accumulated per each area and as a whole.
The goal of the US Cyber Open is to attract all levels of athletes so that coaches can easily scout top talent and invite them to a combine where they will receive training and be scored in more depth to determine aptitude and potential.
Finishers will receive a digital badge showing they completed the 2021 US Cyber Open. This badge can be used on social media profiles and resumes.
Top scorers will win prizes such as the new X-box, Oculus, and more.
Top 60 athletes will be invited to continue in the US Cyber Combine Invitational. Scores alone won't confirm an invite to the US Cyber Combine--your application matters most.
All you need to do to apply is complete the online application. Then? Get ready to compete!
REGISTRATION Opens April 20, 2021 and closes June 10, 2021.
US Cyber Combine Invitational July 9 - September 3, 2021
Top 60 Invited to US Cyber Combine (July 9–September 3, 2021)
This Combine Invitational will be similar to a sports combine in which the athletes will undergo a cyber aptitude evaluation, interview with multiple coaches, train weekly in cybersecurity skills, and compete in an advanced CTF to build their portfolio for the US Cyber Team Draft.
At this level of competition, we’re separating the GOAT (greatest of all time) from the good. We’ll put athletes through the same tests and trials top companies and the government use in their hiring process.
This combine is designed to test you, but also to provide the top athletes a unique experience to hear from leading experts in their field. The selected coaching staff will use this time to get to know each athlete to understand their skills and competencies.
Each week, the coaches will provide virtual instruction and challenges to help strengthen your skills. We expect athletes to contribute 4-8 hours of practice each week. In return, we are seeking training partners to provide benefits such as vouchers for certifications along the way.
Additionally, athletes that perform well during the combine will have the opportunity to accumulate digital badges for performance and skills. Athlete resumes will be provided to corporate sponsors for recruitment.
Get ready to compete, because only 20 Elite Cyber Athletes will make it to the next phase.
INVITATIONS to the combine will be sent via email a few weeks after the US Cyber Open concludes.
How will I know I’m selected for the US Cyber Combine Invitational?
Both the information supplied on the application for the US Cyber Open and the performance results in the US Cyber Open will be used to select those athletes who will receive an invitation to the US Cyber Combine Invitational. Successful applicants will receive an email from the Program Coordinator with their invitation to the US Cyber Combine a few weeks after the US Cyber Open concludes.
2021 US Cyber Team Draft (throughout September)
Throughout September, the Coach team and Advisory Board will meet to select the Top 20 cyber athletes invited to join the first 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.
ANNOUNCEMENT of the 2021-2022 US Cyber Team athletes is expected around October 5, 2021.
What training do athletes receive?
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 prepare them function as a cohesive team.
What is the International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC)?
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 competition, ENISA will expand the Challenge and welcome select teams from countries outside the European Union.
What are the requirements to be a Coach?
- 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.
What is the time commitment to be a Coach?
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
How do I apply to be a Coach?
Coach applications for the 2021 season are closed
About the US Cyber Team Logo
Did you notice the elements in the US Cyber Team logo?
- 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.
Who do I Contact for More Information?
Information about cyber athletes
For more information about cyber athletes, visit our Athletes website page or email info@uscybergames.com.
Information about coaching
For more information about coaching, visit our Coaches website page or email info@uscybergames.com.
Information about sponsorships
For more information about sponsoring the US Cyber Games & US Cyber Team, visit our Sponsors website page or email info@uscybergames.com.
Media Contact
All media inquiries can be directed to info@uscybergames.com.
Information for fans
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