Geared to inspire middle and high school students, PowerUp Cyber Games, powered by Cyber Skyline, is a unique cybersecurity competition designed to teach participants to solve computer security problems while capturing and/or defending computer systems.

Each game will contain a set of scenarios that require the students to perform technical tasks and are designed to have students complete the same day-to-day tasks of professionals in the cybersecurity field, but simplified to an age-appropriate difficulty. These scenarios are focused around:

• Cryptography
• Open Source Intelligence
• Log Analysis
• Network Traffic Analysis
• Linux
• Software Security

These topics are designed to help students build an interest in cybersecurity, develop new skills, and understand their strengths and weaknesses in this subject. Students compete against all other PowerUp Cyber Games Competitors in a three-hour competition once a month. Students will receive instant feedback and PowerUp Cyber Games winners are determined by cumulative season performance.

The goal of the competition is to achieve the best rank. A smaller (lower) numerical rank is better than a higher (larger) rank, e.g. a rank of 1 is better than a rank of 2, much like scoring in golf. Each "game" (Individual Middle School Game, Individual High School Game, Middle School Team Game, and High School Team Game) has its own leaderboard and rankings. Ranking in any game does not impact ranking in any other game. There are 3 factors that determine an individual's or team's rank:

• Points = Points are earned upon the submission of a correct answer to a question. Point values for questions vary and are noted next to each question. A question that may seem easy at first may turn out to be a high-value one, while others that appear very difficult can turn out to be much easier than first thought. The game designers have done this on purpose to make the game interesting.
• Accuracy = Accuracy is determined by dividing the total number of correct answer submissions by the number of total answer submissions.
• Time of Last Correct Submission = A timestamp is taken when a correct answer submission is made. Incorrect answer submissions or hint redemptions do not update the last correct submission timestamp.

Some questions feature hints to help guide players to the correct answer. Points may be deducted upon the redemption one of these hints. The cost of redeeming a hint is indicated prior to the redemption of a hint. Some hints have no point cost and may be redeemed for free. Ranks are assigned in the same way for both individual competition and team competition. They are assigned in ascending order based firstly on the player or team that has the most points. Should there be a tie with points, the team or player with the higher accuracy will receive the lower rank. Should there be a tie with points and accuracy, the team or player who submitted their last correct answer submission first will receive the lower rank. In this way, rankings are like golf scores – the lower the number, the higher the rank.

This competition has not yet listed it's awards.

Website: https://wecyberup.org/powerup/

Managing Organization: CyberUp

Contact:
Jess Walden-Gray
jess@wecyberup.org
(314) 744-9007

Eligibility:
PowerUp Cyber Games provides both middle and high school students and teachers a more equitable learning environment without the fear of being eliminated from the competition. This unique opportunity will be delivered through a cloud-based solution. The competition also strives on accessibility, making sure everyone can participate through a beginner-level curriculum. Students only need two things to participate, internet connection and a laptop or Chromebook. PowerUp Cyber Games can be incorporated into the classroom as supplemental curriculum or during after school programs.

Registration Opens: August 23, 2021

Registration Closes: October 15, 2021

Geared to inspire middle and high school students, PowerUp Cyber Games, powered by Cyber Skyline, is a unique cybersecurity competition designed to teach participants to solve computer security problems while capturing and/or defending computer systems.

Each game will contain a set of scenarios that require the students to perform technical tasks and are designed to have students complete the same day-to-day tasks of professionals in the cybersecurity field, but simplified to an age-appropriate difficulty. These scenarios are focused around:

• Cryptography
• Open Source Intelligence
• Log Analysis
• Network Traffic Analysis
• Linux
• Software Security

These topics are designed to help students build an interest in cybersecurity, develop new skills, and understand their strengths and weaknesses in this subject. Students compete against all other PowerUp Cyber Games Competitors in a three-hour competition once a month. Students will receive instant feedback and PowerUp Cyber Games winners are determined by cumulative season performance.

The goal of the competition is to achieve the best rank. A smaller (lower) numerical rank is better than a higher (larger) rank, e.g. a rank of 1 is better than a rank of 2, much like scoring in golf. Each "game" (Individual Middle School Game, Individual High School Game, Middle School Team Game, and High School Team Game) has its own leaderboard and rankings. Ranking in any game does not impact ranking in any other game. There are 3 factors that determine an individual's or team's rank:

• Points = Points are earned upon the submission of a correct answer to a question. Point values for questions vary and are noted next to each question. A question that may seem easy at first may turn out to be a high-value one, while others that appear very difficult can turn out to be much easier than first thought. The game designers have done this on purpose to make the game interesting.
• Accuracy = Accuracy is determined by dividing the total number of correct answer submissions by the number of total answer submissions.
• Time of Last Correct Submission = A timestamp is taken when a correct answer submission is made. Incorrect answer submissions or hint redemptions do not update the last correct submission timestamp.

Some questions feature hints to help guide players to the correct answer. Points may be deducted upon the redemption one of these hints. The cost of redeeming a hint is indicated prior to the redemption of a hint. Some hints have no point cost and may be redeemed for free. Ranks are assigned in the same way for both individual competition and team competition. They are assigned in ascending order based firstly on the player or team that has the most points. Should there be a tie with points, the team or player with the higher accuracy will receive the lower rank. Should there be a tie with points and accuracy, the team or player who submitted their last correct answer submission first will receive the lower rank. In this way, rankings are like golf scores – the lower the number, the higher the rank.

This competition has not yet listed it's awards.

Website: https://wecyberup.org/powerup/

Managing Organization: CyberUp

Contact:
Jess Walden-Gray
jess@wecyberup.org
(314) 744-9007

Entry Fee:

Eligibility:
PowerUp Cyber Games provides both middle and high school students and teachers a more equitable learning environment without the fear of being eliminated from the competition. This unique opportunity will be delivered through a cloud-based solution. The competition also strives on accessibility, making sure everyone can participate through a beginner-level curriculum. Students only need two things to participate, internet connection and a laptop or Chromebook. PowerUp Cyber Games can be incorporated into the classroom as supplemental curriculum or during after school programs.

Registration Opens: August 23, 2021

Registration Closes: October 15, 2021