What is CyberPatriot?
CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) to inspire high school students toward careers in cybersecurity, computer science, and STEM fields. At its core is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition—a high-stakes cyber defense tournament where teams act as newly hired IT professionals responsible for securing virtual operating systems and networks. Competitors must identify critical security vulnerabilities, remove malware, configure user permissions, and patch system flaws in Windows, Linux, and Cisco network environments—all while keeping essential business services running.
What Our Team Consists Of:
Our CyberPatriot Team brings together motivated cadets with a passion for technology, problem-solving, and digital defense. Team members specialize in different operating systems (Windows 10/11, Windows Server, and Ubuntu Linux) as well as Cisco network architecture and Packet Tracer simulations. Working against strict time limits, our cadets learn advanced system administration, threat detection, and tactical decision-making, developing critical-thinking skills that translate directly into top-tier tech and military careers.
How We Compete Nationwide from MLK High School:
Unlike traditional athletic or drill events that require travel for early rounds, CyberPatriot is fought primarily on a digital battlefield. During official competition weekends, our team sets up in our computer lab for intensive, continuous 4-hour competition windows.
The All-Service Division: We compete directly in the All-Service Division against thousands of JROTC units (Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, and Space Force), Civil Air Patrol squadrons, and Naval Sea Cadet units across the United States.
Scoring & Real-Time Leaderboards: As our cadets fix security holes on simulated virtual machines, an automated central server in Maryland tracks our fixes in real-time, awarding points on a live national scoreboard.
Tiers & National Championship: Scores from the initial qualification rounds determine tier placement (Platinum, Gold, and Silver). Through State and Semifinal rounds, teams push for top national rankings—with the top Platinum tier teams earning all-expenses-paid trips to the National Finals in Maryland to compete live for national titles!