Cyber Games
As a senior at UMBC majoring in computer science, Max Spector has spent long hours in the classroom learning the theories and principles that explain how information systems work. He has studied the vulnerabilities that can cripple and corrupt these systems, and he talks rapid-fire about such hacking techniques as “buffer overflow attacks” and “ARP spoofing attacks.”
But for Spector, who aspires to a career in cybersecurity, what happens in the classroom is only one part of his education.
“In a class, there’s not a lot of, ‘Here’s a computer, and here’s someone attacking you,” explains Spector, who is president of the UMBC Cyber Defense Team. Theoretical knowledge is vital for defending a computer system, but textbooks and lectures can’t simulate the adrenaline surge brought by a real cyber attack.
“What do you do if hackers are already inside your server?” he asks excitedly. “How do you get them out?”
Helping Maryland students and young professionals experience the challenge and excitement that this real-world element brings to cybersecurity is a big reason why UMBC, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and other partners are planning the first-ever Maryland Cyber Challenge and Conference (MDC3).
The October event will bring new and experienced teams together to hone their skills in an event that combines the strategy of a chess tournament with the relentless pace of a sporting event.
“Maryland colleges and universities have a critical role to play in preparing students for careers in cybersecurity and related fields,” explains UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski. “This event will support those efforts by encouraging the development of valuable cybersecurity skills in a competitive setting.”
Founders of the event include SAIC, UMBC, the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), and the Tech Council of Maryland (TCM).
Orientation sessions for teams in each of three divisions — high school, collegiate and industry and government professionals — will be held at UMBC in March and April. Two qualifying rounds will be conducted online using SAIC’s Cyber Network Exercise System (CyberNEXS), a scalable training, exercise and certification system.
The final rounds of the challenge will be held at the conference Oct. 21-22. High school teams will compete in a cyber defense challenge, while collegiate and professional teams will go head-to-head in a “capture the flag” scenario. Winners of each division will receive their trophies and awards at a formal ceremony at UMBC.
For members of the UMBC Cyber Defense Team, the event creates a new focal point on their calendar, serving as a “championship” for a state that has rapidly emerged as a national leader in cybersecurity.
Spector is excited. Though UMBC’s team is less than two years old, it has already been successful, making it in 2010 to the Mid-Atlantic Regional competition of the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.
With the new Maryland Cyber Challenge and Conference, Spector sees an opportunity for more students and young people to get a taste of both the challenges and rewards of cybersecurity work: “It’s preparation for the real world.”
For more information, visit http://bit.ly/fWJdcX.
(2/9/11)
