(Ames, Iowa) –  Airmen with the 168th Cyber Operations Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard, along with personnel from the Innovation Center Kosovo and the University of Pristina, Kosovo, will participate together for the first time in the recurring Cyber Defense Competition at Iowa State University on May 18, in Ames. Officials say global threats to cyber security are increasing. The Cyber Defense Competition is an opportunity for Iowa Airmen, Kosovars, and Iowa students to demonstrate their capabilities and develop their skills.

Iowa State University has held the Cyber Defense Competition for 17 years. High school and college students from around the country converge on Iowa State’s campus to compete regularly.
In the days leading up to the competition, teams will build and secure a notional wealth management company. During the competition, teams will be challenged with defending their company against skilled adversaries.

(File photo) Spring 2016 ISU CDC in Coover Hall on the ISU campus

The Airmen and their Kosovo partners are planning, strategizing and building team communication skills in preparation for the competition. The skills they are learning today translate to what they are doing every day to protect Iowans and Kosovars from online threats. Iowa State University invited service members from the Iowa National Guard and Kosovo to participate in the cyber exercise after recognizing the importance of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program.

More than a dozen teams will compete to be named best cyber defense team. The top three teams will be recognized during the event conclusion.