The field is set for the 6th CyberWatch Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (MA CCDC) virtual Qualifying Rounds. 23 teams, representing undergraduate and graduate students from two- and four-year schools from the Mid-Atlantic region, will compete in a virtual qualifying round that starts January 10th and ends January 28th. The top 8 teams from this Qualifying Round will advance to the face-to-face Regional finals on March 10-12, 2011 at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab (JHU APL). The winning team from the Mid-Atlantic region earns an automatic spot in the National CCDC, April 8-10, 2011 in San Antonio, TX.

This year’s schools include:

1. Anne Arundel Community College (Maryland)
2. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (North Carolina)
3. Capitol College (Maryland)
4. Catawba Valley Community College (North Carolina)
5. Community College of Baltimore County (Maryland)
6. Craven Community College (North Carolina)
7. Forsyth Technical Community College (North Carolina)
8. George Mason University (Virginia)
9. George Washington University (Washington, DC)
10. Hagerstown Community College (Maryland)
11. Howard Community College (Maryland)
12. James Madison University (Virginia)
13. Liberty University (Virginia)
14. Millersville University (Pennsylvania)
15. Montgomery College (Maryland)
16. Northern Virginia Community College (Virginia)
17. Prince George’s Community College (Maryland)
18. Towson University (Maryland)
19. University of Maryland Baltimore County (Maryland)
20. University of Maryland College Park (Maryland)
21. University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania)
22. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia)
23. Wilmington University (Delaware)

Interesting factoids:

:: 7 schools competing for the first time: Capitol College, Craven Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College, Hagerstown Community College, Liberty University, Montgomery College, and Virginia Tech
:: 10 community colleges participating
:: 15 schools competed last year; 23 this year
:: 41 schools from the Mid-Atlantic region invited to participate

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For Immediate Release -September 7, 2010

Computer network hackers will battle network defenders at the 2011 CyberWatch Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) March 10-12, 2011, at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory’s Kossiakoff Center. The event, sponsored by APL and CyberWatch, is designed to increase the quantity and quality of the information assurance workforce by engaging students in the emerging field of cyber assurance.

For the sixth consecutive year, college student teams from the Mid-Atlantic region will defend computer networks against hacker teams using skills increasingly recognized as vital to the national interests and an important element in the preparation of the next generation of cyber warriors. Said Dr. Bob Spear, CyberWatch Director, ”APL is the ideal partner for CyberWatch, because of its strong expertise in cyber security, its mission to protect national security and its many programs that encourage students to study science, technology, engineering and math.” “The CCDC has been a strong competition platform for the last five years, and we believe that the APL partnership will allow us to broaden our reach into the government and industry space and present the future cyber warriors in an effective and realistic manner”, added Casey O’Brien, Mid-Atlantic CCDC Competition Director.

Jay Turner from APL said, “This is a wonderful opportunity to combine our strong profile in cyber security with CCDC’s efforts to bolster the pipeline of students who will someday be working in this important field.”

The winning team will be invited to participate in the National CCDC event to be held this year in San Antonio, TX in April 2011.

The Mid-Atlantic CCDC is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and several industry groups and organizations involved in cyber security education and services.

The Applied Physics Laboratory, a division of The Johns Hopkins University, meets critical national challenges through the innovative application of science and technology.

For videos and programs from prior Mid-Atlantic CCDCs, see the Mid-Atlantic CCDC site. For more information please contact CyberWatch and CCDC:

• Mid-Atlantic CCDC Competition Director: Casey W. O’Brien, cobrien [at] ccbcmd [dot] edu
• CyberWatch Marketing Director: Dr. Costis Toregas, toregas1 [at] gwu [dot] edu
• JHU APL Information Operations Group Supervisor: Jay Turner, jay.turner [at] jhuapl [dot] edu

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Article in 06/22/10 USA TODAY Money section by Byron Acohido

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The Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) has begun testing students’ defense against a serious threat that is too often ignored: the danger of insider attacks. Brad Bowers discusses the value of including this challenge in the CCDC.

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Check out the Solera Networks from the 5th Mid-Atlantic Regional CCDC.

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Learn how your university or training institution can participate and receive a free to enhance your network forensics and cyber security programs.

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 26, 2010 – Solera Networks, a leader in network forensics products and services announced their “Donate and Defend” program to provide their award-winning network forensics technology to education institutions with dedicated cyber security training programs. Colleges, universities, and other training organizations may license the Solera DS Virtual Network Forensics Appliance free of charge to train professionals and fill the fast-growing demand for cyber security and network forensics experts.

The full press release is available .

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:: Watch Ron Knode, Director of CSC’s Global Security Solutions, talk about the 5th Mid-Atlantic Regional CCDC

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Check out the new videos from the 5th Mid-Atlantic Regional CCDC on the .

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Congratulations to the Towson University team for its 4th place finish in the 5th National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC).

Towson won the 5th Mid-Atlantic Regional CCDC, March 11-13, 2010, earning a spot in the National CCDC. Teams from eight regions nationally competed April 16-18, 2010 in San Antonio. Northeastern University won the National CCDC, with Louisville University finishing second, and Cal Poly Pomona third.

The Towson team is:

• Brian Haar
• Shane Lester
• Felix A. Mercado
• Brian Namovicz
• Finn Ramsland
• Madeline Pelkey (Team Captain)
• Bryan Sizemore
• Jon Wiseman

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