Flagstaff Academy Charter School is proud to announce that its CyberPatriot team, You Lost Points, has secured first place in the Air & Space Forces Association’s Colorado State CyberPatriot competition. The team, consisting of middle school students Oliver H., Alvaro P., Braden H., and a student from Westview, will receive a state award in recognition of their achievement.
CyberPatriot, a National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, challenges teams of middle and high school students to identify and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities in virtual operating systems. Throughout the competition, teams are scored based on how secure they can make their systems. The top teams advance through various rounds, with the best moving on to the in-person National Finals Competition.
The competition consists of two main challenges:
- Network Security Challenge: Teams work to identify and resolve security vulnerabilities in Windows and Linux operating systems.
- Cisco Networking Challenge: An online quiz and virtual networking exercises based on Cisco training materials.
Flagstaff Academy’s CyberPatriot teams practice once a week after school, building expertise in areas like Windows, Server, and Linux. During the competition, students are grouped into teams of 3-4, with each team member specializing in a specific area. The students apply the knowledge they gain from their weekly practices with industry expert Jamie Kreider, who coaches the teams and helps them prepare for the competition.
One of the most challenging components of the competition is the Cisco Packet Tracer exercise, which requires students to complete Cisco learning modules ahead of the competition. These modules, while time-consuming, are crucial for success.
Flagstaff Academy has a strong track record in the state competition, consistently bringing in high scores. The team’s success can be attributed to the years of experience brought by returning students who mentor their new teammates, teaching them valuable skills for the competition.
Flagstaff Academy is committed to providing students with opportunities to explore career fields in technology, and CyberPatriot remains a key initiative in that effort. The school congratulates all the teams for their exceptional effort and looks forward to future competitions.