Congratulations to the DACC Cybersecurity team of Nolan Gregson, Maddox LaPrad, Wilson Lane, Andrew Langan, and Henry Reid for taking first place in the state and fourteenth in the country in The National Youth Cyber Defense Competition!
This competition, hosted by the Air Force, challenges teams to assume the role of IT professionals tasked with securing the network of a small company. Participants are provided with four virtual computers, each with different operating systems, and are required to enhance their security. This includes eliminating viruses, removing unnecessary software, and setting robust passwords. Teams are then evaluated based on the number and effectiveness of the security measures implemented within a four-hour timeframe.
Lane saw the competition as a way to prepare for his future. “This is a great way to get experience and make my name known,” shared Lane, who is planning on joining the Air Force after graduation. Gregson, Reid, and Langan added that they are all proud of their team and how they worked together.
The team will move on to the semi-finals and explained that there is not much they can do to prepare for the competition. “Just like real life, it will be a surprise,” Gregson said. “We’ll rely on what we’ve learned in class, and we’ll work together as a team.”
Congratulations to the DACC Cybersecurity team, and good luck at the Semi-Finals!