Left: Competing students solved a series of real-world scenarios to test their technical skills and knowledge of cybersecurity. Right: Westerville South’s Adrian Self was congratulated by OC3’s Mark Bell for winning the event.
Westerville City Schools and JPMorgan Chase & Co. co-hosted a Capture the Flag Cyber Security Event on Tuesday, March 7, at Westerville North High School’s Shop, as part of the Ohio Cyber Collaboration Committee’s (OC3) Cyber Range. The event was in collaboration with Merit, OC3, and the Ohio National Guard and was sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co. Capture the Flag tested students’ skills at defending against cyberattack. Pupils solved a series of real-world scenarios to test their technical skills and knowledge of cybersecurity. Teams retrieved virtual flags when they successfully solved the challenges. Students from Westerville, Southwestern Career Academy, and Tiffin University participated. Westerville South pupil Adrian Self took first place in the event.
OC3, a collaborative effort of more than 100 public, private, military and educational organizations led by the Ohio National Guard, was initiated by Governor John Kasich to develop a stronger cybersecurity infrastructure and provide innovative training and education to strengthen Ohio’s cyber workforce. The OC3 Cyber Range is a virtual training ground accessible for competitions, training and as a testing environment for schools, governments and businesses.
Major General Mark E. Bartman, Ohio adjutant general and Dr. John Kellogg, Westerville City Schools superintendent, Sonya Goulet, Cyber Range Operations Manager and Deborah Smedley, VP Cyber Security and Technology Controls at JP Morgan Chase & Co., were among those who made remarks about the OC3 state initiative. More than 40 adult participants also observed the students in action and learned more about the OC3 initiative.