AWESOME is a word often unknowingly applied to the mundane. But it’s the most apt word to describe Nashwaaksis Middle School’s victory in the Information and Communications Technology Council’s (ICTC) CyberTitan VI National Finals cybersecurity competition, on May 8.
The Nashwaaksis Middle School CyberDragons—one of two teams from the school in the contest—took on 11 other teams from across the country to win the competition, which was part of a three-day summit that also included presentations from various cybersecurity experts. The school’s other cybersecurity team, The Yottabyters, came in second place.
Each student on the winning CyberDragons team received a $600 Amazon gift card.
“As a coach and teacher, I am very proud of the hard work and dedication that the NMS CyberDragons and Yottabyters put into this competition,” said Technology Education teacher Gary Gautreau, the team coach. “Since September, they worked during most of their lunch breaks, and some worked another one and a half hours after school, four days a week.”
Students pooled their collective brain power to solve a simulated cybersecurity scenario: a data breach at the fictitious Maple Valley Syrup Co. They identified and fixed various security vulnerabilities, such as malware infections and misconfigurations, and secured their network against a variety of cyber attacks during the six-hour competition.
“I was really excited when I heard that we won because my teammates and I have been working hard all year,” said Grade 7 student and Windows specialist Jude Clowater. “This was fun, competitive, and rush-inducing, especially during the nationals.”
Both the CyberDragons and Yottabyters were two of 11 finalist teams to make the national competition after five months of competitions against 144 Canadian CyberTitan teams and 5,000 international teams affiliated with the U.S. Air Force Association’s CyberPatriot cybersecurity program.
The competition was intense.
“We only led by 100 points which is why it was so nerve-racking” waiting for the results last week, said Grade 7 student Ron Drapkin, team alternate captain and a Windows and Server specialist. “I felt very excited after the win.”
Gautreau was effusive about his students, stating, “They demonstrate a level of commitment, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking that is very impressive for a group of 12-, 13 -, and 14-year-olds.”
“We worked hard, and it’s nice to see that it paid off,” said team captain and Grade 7 student Caleb Jeffries. “I’m hoping to compete again next year!”