SAN DIEGO, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- U.S.-based Science Applications International Corp. is hosting a competition to guard against cyberattacks.
SAIC said in a statement earlier this month that it would "host the 'Cyber Defense Challenge,' a new competition aimed at inspiring students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics."
"The challenge, sponsored by the San Diego Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association -- NDIA -- begins Dec. 15 and will last three months. Teams of computer science students from 12 San Diego area high schools and universities will test their ability to defend against today's cyber attacks. The University of California, San Diego -- UCSD is coordinating student participation."
SAIC said it would "host the multiday event at the company's San Diego campus. Teams will use SAIC's patent-pending cyber defense trainer. Developed in conjunction with the Navy, the cyber defense trainer is a self-contained, realistic learning environment that provides cost-effective training to system administrators and security professionals so that they may effectively protect their critical information resources."
"According to NDIA, there are insufficient numbers of students graduating with science and math degrees to meet the future government and industry needs. At the same time, cyber threats are growing by the day, and more than 100 countries already have cyber warfare tools in their military arsenals," SAIC said.
"Under the rubric of STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- the local NDIA chapter is launching the Cyber Defense Challenge as one of several initiatives to address the predicted shortfall of scientists and engineers. NDIA envisions the competition as a way of immersing students in real world technology issues that will increase the level of excitement for learning technology," SAIC said.
"If this pilot competition proves successful, the vision would be to take this to a national level, similar to the annual Scripps Spelling Bee competition," said Gerry Nifontoff, NDIA executive vice president, San Diego Chapter.
"SAIC is committed to supporting initiatives that empower our students and bring attention to educational issues that impact our national interests," said Larry Cox, SAIC senior vice president and business unit general manager.
