“This program will help students across California gain new technical skills to spur new innovation and strengthen cybersecurity.” – GO-Biz Director Panorea Avdis
San Luis Obispo, Calif. – As part of California’s continued leadership in strengthening career pathways for cybersecurity, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and Cal Poly today announced the 2018 California Cyber Innovation Challenge, set for June 22-25. Twenty teams of high school students will compete at the California Cyber Training Complex (CCTC) in San Luis Obispo, California, on June 23-25, following a cybersecurity workforce development summit on Friday, June 22.
“Every day, California companies deliver ground-breaking technological advances – from the Internet of Things to artificial intelligence, 3D printing and nanotechnology,” said GO-Biz Director Panorea Avdis. “This program will help students across California gain new technical skills to spur new innovation and strengthen cybersecurity.”
“In addition to training students on cyber forensics, we will provide hands-on learning opportunities for the next generation of cyber defenders,” said Cal Poly Cybersecurity Center Director and Vice President of Information Technology William J. “Bill” Britton. “Being a part of the Innovation Challenge is a big step toward realizing that goal of strengthening cybersecurity.”
Over the next few months, teams of high school students from across California will compete in timed cybersecurity challenges designed to replicate the many different threats that cybersecurity professionals face, including attacks on critical infrastructure and attempted breaches of consumer data on connected devices. Eight winners from designated regional cybersecurity competitions will earn automatic entry to the statewide tournament in San Luis Obispo, and the remainder will come from an “at-large” selection process that will draw teams from areas that do not currently have regional competitions.
The 2018 event will include a digital forensics challenge and other challenges with an overall focus on highlighting the importance of cybersecurity in healthcare. In addition, the Cyber Innovation Challenge will feature a new dual-division structure comprised of veteran and newcomer teams.
GO-Biz in partnership with Cal Poly will lead a half-day summit on workforce development and career pathway issues and opportunities around cybersecurity on Friday, June 22, in San Luis Obispo. Agenda details on the summit are forthcoming.
Register to attend the free California Cyber Innovation Challenge.
High schools interested in joining the competition and sponsors seeking to support the competition can email Jesse Torres.
About Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly is a nationally ranked, four-year, comprehensive public university located in San Luis Obispo, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California’s Central Coast. Known for its Learn by Doing approach, small class sizes and open access to expert faculty, Cal Poly is a distinctive learning community whose 21,000 academically motivated students enjoy an unrivaled hands-on educational experience that prepares them to lead successful personal and professional lives. Cal Poly is consistently ranked a top university for academics, value and graduate’s salaries. For more information,
visit Cal Poly.
About GO-Biz
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as the State of California’s leader for job growth and economic development efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more. For more information visit, www.business.ca.gov.
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