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2021 CyberMaryland Challenge & Virtual Competition Wrap Up

The CyberMaryland Challenge & Virtual Competition 2021 took place on March 24, 2021. This year’s competition was held in an online-virtual format, normally held in-person in Baltimore, MD. Hosted and delivered by cybersecurity education powerhouse University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) using the tryhackme platform, the competition scenarios and platform were refereed by a team of volunteers including leading cyber practitioners, university professors, and guest hosts from across the cyber world.

Joining us this year in support of the program was the ICF Cyber Youth Apprenticeship Iniative (CYAI), a program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration Office of Apprenticeship. “This program promotes sustainable development of cybersecurity apprenticeship programs for youth aged 16-21,” said Ed Trumbull, Program Manager for ICF. The competition is grateful to this program for its leadership support.

The competition committee, including Joe Roundy of Montgomery College, Jesse Varsalone and John Galliano of UMGC, Steve Morrill of Loyola Blakefield High School and David Powell of CyberMaryland / FBC, was pleased with the outcome. “It’s great to be able to hold an event of any kind in this environment,” said Varsalone, “and regardless of the obstacles, we were able to create a challenging, fun & successful competition.”

Teams of 4 competed in 2-year and 4-year college categories. The challenges tested skills in Scanning & Exploitation, Log Analysis, Network Captures, Passwords, Encryption and other key competencies. Students representing Maryland community colleges and 4-year universities across the country battled it out in exciting cybersecurity challenges.

The top prize was claimed by the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) in the 4 year division and Montgomery College, whose team included dual enrollment students, in the 2-year division. “The talent is off the charts,” claimed Powell, “today’s cyber educators are accelerating the development of tomorrow’s cyber professional.”

The Conference Committee and the Competition Committee would like to thank all of the competitors, their coaches, and every company or individual who supported this program. We look forward to seeing everyone for the next CyberMaryland Challenge & Competition.

2-Year Competition (2 Year Schools could have an unlimited number of teams but were limited only to Maryland Community Colleges)

4-Year Competition (1 Team per University limit - National Competition)