Rhode Island Cyber Security Competition comes to Rhode Island.
New England Tech along with the Rhode Island Department of Education, the RI Science & Technology Advisory Council, and the Tech Collective join Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) in offering the Rhode Island Cyber Foundations Competition.
Known as Cyber Aces Online (ACES), the competition is designed to identify and nurture talented individuals who can become the future cyber policy professionals for United States companies and government agencies.
Because the nation is facing a shortage of cyber security professionals, the Cyber Aces Online competition was developed to offer individuals a fundamental knowledge of cyber security.
Deemed as one of the most effective Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) competitions in the nation, ACES is an entry-level competition focusing on a series of increasingly challenging contests sponsored by the Cyber Aces Foundation. This organization works to significantly reduce the shortage in the cyber workforce by identifying, recruiting and placing the next generation of cyber security professionals.听 The three areas of study will include networking, operating systems, and system administration.
鈥淚t is clear that sufficiently securing our networks, whether in government or the private sector, will require a well-trained cyber security workforce. As a result of efforts such as the Rhode Island Cyber Foundation Competitions, the RI Cyber Disruption Team, and the University of Rhode Island鈥檚 annual Cyber Security Symposia, we are building a statewide consortium that will work to expand the cyber security workforce in Rhode Island, while meeting the increasing need for a strong public-private relationship in cyber space,鈥� .
In past years, the competition was only open to high school students.听 However, this year, in addition to high schools students, all teachers, administrators, college students, veterans, job seekers, and those seeking a career change are invited. Participation in the competition is free!
Cyber Aces Online has two parts:
- Online tutorials, video and audio education materials that allow participants to expand their knowledge
- Quizzes that allow participants to demonstrate mastery
All topics have a separate set of educational materials and a separate test. Each tutorial module ends with an online competition day quiz where participants鈥� skills will be tested in a series of questions. Competition day quizzes can be completed in 40 – 90 minutes. After all the three quizzes are completed, the final ranks will be determined by the participants鈥� cumulative scores.
Winners are then eligible to receive a range of prizes from awards and recognition by government and business leaders, to invitations to Cyber Aces Academies, internships, and scholarships.
Individuals interested in participating in this exciting competition should visit听 to register or contact Erin Flynn, Manager of Admissions Outreach and Events at 91吃瓜 as well as the Rhode Island Cyber Aces Online State Coordinator, for more information. High schools, after school programs, Civil Air Patrol teams, computer clubs and other groups are welcome to register as well. The registration deadline is Friday, October 12, 2013.听 The competitions are scheduled as follows: October 15-16: Competition for Module 1; November 5-6: Competition for Module 2; December 18-19: Competition for Module 3; December 31: Access to content expires.听
As Langevin stated, 鈥淭hese education and training opportunities will direct young people into cyber security and other industries with high growth potential, and provide them with the tools to be competitive in the modern job market. As the cyber security workforce grows, it is also my hope that additional training programs will be developed for unemployed or underemployed individuals looking for new challenges. I believe that Rhode Island can and must be a leader in cyber security, and I hope that our efforts will grow into a national model for harnessing young talent.鈥�
鈥淣ew England Tech is proud to once again work as an affiliate partner of the Cyber Aces Competition,鈥� stated Flynn. 鈥淭he mission of the program is to build a future workforce with the cyber security skills required to meet the high demand in both the private and public sectors. We are pleased to be affiliated with this most important program.鈥�