Clubs holds first NSBE Junior Chapter Cyber Security event

Photo By Cpl. Antwaun Jefferson | Each member of the Malware Analyst team has a smile on their face after winning the first Northern Virginia Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers Cyber Security Event at The Clubs at Quantico on Dec. 5. Malware Analyst beat three other teams, including one comprised of all juniors and a senior, to win the event. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Antwaun L. Jefferson/Released)  

QUANTICO, VA, UNITED STATES

12.05.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Antwaun Jefferson 

Marine Corps Base Quantico

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. – Four teams of fifth to 12th-grade students from different schools across northern Virginia faced off in a research-based competition during the Northern Virginia Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers Junior Chapter Cyber Security Event at The Clubs at Quantico on Dec. 5.

The NSBE Junior Chapter is part of a pre-college initiative program designed to stimulate student’s interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Their goal is to encourage students from kindergarten to 12th grade to attend college and pursue technical degrees.

“We have four teams here who represent going beyond the norm,” said T. R. Kinsel, the hostess for the event. “They have really stepped outside of their comfort zones to do something very different.”

The team names match the field they decided to research. The four teams were Ethical Hacker, Malware Analyst, Network Security Engineer and Cyber Security Analyst.

Each of the teams’ work was presented exhibition boards, research papers and a custom webpage. The information provided featured the field’s job description, the education and training required to be a part of that field, financial income and brochures.
After the judges studied each teams’ exhibition board, the teams made oral and PowerPoint presentations.

During the oral presentations, it was clear each team had different delivery styles. Ethical Hacking verified their information by looking back at their board while delivering their speech.

Then the Network Security Engineer team, the oldest team with all juniors and a senior, individually memorized the information they would present.

There were also differences in the comfort level when presenting, most teams flowed through their presentation with little hiccups here-and-there.

However, Malware Analyst, being the youngest team with one fifth grader; four sixth graders, one eighth grader, and three juniors; had a few issue remembering their lines. But what they lacked in delivery, they attempted to make up in teamwork. When a member would forget their line, another member would whisper the line in their ear, or pass them a flash card so they could continue their speech.

A couple of the teams decided to spice up their presentation by starting or ending their presentations with short skits that pertained to their specific presentation. The Network Security Engineer team acted out the process of how malware and hackers infiltrate company computers and try to steal information.
As the judges deliberated, Col. David McMorries, commanding officer, Marine Corps Network Operations Security Command, gave a few words.

“Whatever the results, every one of you are winners,” McMorries said. “I know that may sound trite, but no matter if you’re a sixth grader or a senior, as I saw you go through your presentations, I saw everyone of you grow from this experience.”

When the judges returned, the students were on the edges of their chairs. In fourth place was Cyber Security Analyst. Ethical Hacker took third place. In second place was Network Security Engineer. The winner of the first Cyber Security Competition event was Malware Analyst.

All team members received a Certificate of Merit for their hard work and participation. The first place winners expected to receive a check for $100 for the group. Instead, they were surprised with $100 for each individual.

“Talking to you all tonight and seeing what you have displayed here, I just want to tell you all that you’ve done an outstanding job,” said Gerald Foreman, mayor for the Town of Dumfries. “To compete in this competition, you all are truly a cut above the folks who are in other schools. The work you have done, mixed in with the camaraderie and teamwork, also tells me we are in good hands for the future.”

For information about the competition or NOVA-NSBE- Jr., contact Glenn Duncan, project director, at www.novansbejr.org

• Date Taken: 12.05.2012
• Date Posted: 12.11.2012 17:27
• Story ID: 99108
• Location: QUANTICO, VA, US