A group of students at North Hollywood High School is set to take part in a competition that could impact not only their future, but the country’s too.
They’ll participate in a Los Angeles Unified anti-hacking competition Saturday at the RAND Corp. in Santa Monica, and test their ability to repel simulated cyberattacks.
“When I’m in competition all I can think is, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so exciting!’” declared Eileen Garcia, 14, of Valley Village. “I can make a big difference in cybersecurity.”
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Garcia is a member of one of five teams representing North Hollywood High in the semifinal round of CyberPatriot IX: The National Youth Cyber Defense Competition.
“Our goal right now is just to get to nationals. We were really, really close last year,” said Aled Cuda, 17, of Tujunga. His team is currently ranked 10th nationwide. The top 12 teams to emerge from the semifinals will travel to Baltimore for the finals in April.
In the real world, damaging computer security breaches have wreaked havoc on Sony Pictures, Yahoo and Target, among many other companies, as well as government agencies and — in the midst of the 2016 presidential election — the Democratic National Committee.
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To computer science teacher Jay Gehringer, who coaches the North Hollywood High students as part of a Beyond the Bell after-school program, there is much more at stake than winning a trophy.
He said the U.S. needs more cybersecurity experts to defend against attacks, like the one Russia is suspected of launching against the DNC.
“It’s a cyber Cold War. And I think we’re in it,” he said. “I really feel like I’m helping students pursue a career, I’m showing them something they might find interesting and I’m doing something that will make America a better place.”
So how do team members prepare for a grueling competition that lasts six hours? For some, they’ll get a night’s sleep. Others plan to exercise.
“We have a pre-competition ritual where we play Frisbee, get ourselves warmed up and our blood flowing,” said Jillian Kusch, 16, of Valley Village.
This is one team sport where uniforms are not essential.
“It’s kind of casual during the competition,” explained Jonathan Liu, 16, of Northridge. His teammate Kyle Gusdorf, 17, of Sherman Oaks, added, “It’s just like the five of us in a room by ourselves. We’re not trying to look good for anyone. You might as well just wear whatever.”
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