Last year, OODA was proud to sponsor the first-ever U.S. Cyber Games.  The inaugural US Cyber Games™ was created through the support of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). But we are very proud to say the real driving force behind these games is a long-term friend of OODA and network member Jessica Gulick of Katzcy. It is produced by PlayCyber.  The Games brought together elite cyber athletes, coaches, and industry leaders to help scout, train, and recognize a US Cyber Team to represent the United States at the International Cyber Security Challenge.

Organizers made it official via LinkedIn two weeks ago:  “It’s official- National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) and KATZCY are proud to announce the launch 🚀 of Season II of the US Cyber Games. Get involved as a coach, player or sponsor today and help us build the next generation of #cyberathletes: https://hubs.li/Q019XVSh0”

We are also proud to announce that we will be once again sponsoring this premier cybersecurity competition – including rooting for the home team as the first U.S. Cyber Team selected last year departs for Athens, Greece to compete in the International Cybersecurity Competition (ICC) from June 14-17, 2022.

US Cyber Open Kick-Off

Register today and cheer for #cyberathletes and coaches at the @USCyberGames #CyberOpen Kick-Off! Hear from panelists and #cybersecurity professionals as #cyberteams prepare for the games: https://t.co/7pfHlPUeJk@NISTcyber | @KATZCYLLC | @KatzcyPlayCyber#Esports #CyberGames pic.twitter.com/aDRN4jR9UY

— USCyberGames (@USCyberGames) May 25, 2022

Again this year, The Cyber Games “Season” begins with a kick-off event.  Last year’s Summit was held in May and was a virtual event.  This season’s kick-off event takes place on June 30th.

There are then three flagship competitions over the course of the season:

1. The US Cyber Open Capture The Flag (CTF) Challenge will be held from July 1 through July 10, 2022.  According to the Cyber Games website, competitors will compete in a free ten-day Capture the Flag (CTF) competition consisting of virtual cybersecurity challenges, across a variety of cybersecurity domains (reconnaissance, cryptanalysis, operations security, forensics analysis, and malware analysis).” (1)
2. US Cyber Combine Invitational will be held from August 5 through September 5, 2022, where “a diverse set of selected cybersecurity athletes [60 participants total)  ages 18 to 24 will be invited to participate in a number of virtual learning opportunities, hands-on exercises, and competitions.  During this qualifying phase, athletes will undergo a cybersecurity aptitude assessment, interview with multiple coaches, and perform in an advanced CTF qualifier round.” (1)
3. US Cyber Games Draft Day:  On October 17, 2022, the Top 35 (two teams) drafted cybersecurity athletes will be invited onto the Season II US Cyber Team to represent the United States at a variety of global scrimmages and the International Cybersecurity Challenge taking place in 2023.

For a general overview of the 2021 US Cyber Games, see What are the US Cyber Games?  For our coverage of Draft Day 2021, including bios of the 2021 US Cyber Team coaching staff and athletes, see First-Ever U.S. Cyber Team Announced to Compete in Athens at the ICC in June 2022.

Call for Athletes

Apply to play and compete in the #cryptography #CTF challenge at the @USCyberGames – we’re looking for #cyberathletes to put their skills to the test: https://t.co/wrSfFf3KR3#ICC #Esports #CyberGames #Cybersecurity #CyberChallenge @NISTcyber | @KATZCYLLC | @KatzcyPlayCyber pic.twitter.com/sH2nL5YdFa

— USCyberGames (@USCyberGames) May 25, 2022

Call for Coaches

@USCyberGames is searching for experts across various disciplines in #cybersecurity to prepare our US Cyber Team for global competition! Apply to Coach today at https://t.co/NDcKBNJv9w Deadline June 3rd@KatzcyPlayCyber @KATZCYLLC#Esports #cybergames #leadership #mentors pic.twitter.com/rT0duH8qm2

— USCyberGames (@USCyberGames) May 25, 2022

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