JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO- LACKLAND, Texas –
The 2015 Civil Air Patrol Cyber Defense Training Academy concluded
as fifty cadets from squadrons across the nation completed two different
intense and challenging cyber courses this week.
Designed to familiarize elementary and middle school-aged
Civil Air Patrol cadets with Air Force cyberspace operations, the CDTA course
received over 120 applicants; more than twice than the previous inaugural year.
Of those applicants, 40 were selected for the Cyber Familiarization Course and
10 previous CFC graduates were selected to return for the Cyber Advanced
Course.
In addition to receiving daily lectures and mission
briefings from multiple 24th Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force
Mission Assurance Cell cyber representatives, they also toured multiple
operations centers, and received live demonstrations by Defensive Counter Cyber
and Incident Response Team operators.
“This class was a tremendous success. These young minds are able to understand and pick
up topics that would be considered complex to members in my career field. This was all done in a week of education and
hands-on training.” said 2nd Lt. Joseph Booker, a CDTA instructor and cyber
warrior from the 33rd Network Warfare Squadron. “Cyberspace is a growing
domain, with a growing threat and we need more educated cyber operators. We need to train operators that grew up in
the cyber generation that understands more about the domain than any of us
could possibly know; they are our future.”
Cadets attending the familiarization course were taught
operating system, workstation, server, and network fundamentals as well as
cyber and computer concepts ranging from defensive cyberspace operations,
cyber security threat mitigation, and securing information systems.
Furthermore, cadets who attended the CAC, received
instruction on advanced topics regarding cyber security ranging from
cryptography, web technology, intrusion detection and basic mission planning.
During the week long course, cadets and staff also received
the full Air Force experience by residing on JBSA-Lackland within the Basic
Military Training barracks, by participating in daily physical training, and
receiving their meals at one of the many base dining facilities.
“Our youth are the future of this nation. Programs like this
not only stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics but gives our youth a chance to build a potential career in
cyber-security.” said Jacob Stauffer, JBSA-Lackland Cadet Squadron commander
and National Cadet Cyber Programs Coordinator” for CAP National Headquarters.
“I created the Cyber Defense Training Academy for one purpose; to educate CAP
members in aspects of cyber-security. Within the next five years I expect to
grow our number of cadets trained by enhancing our current curriculum and
offering new courses covering more advanced topics.”
Prior to concluding the 2015 CDTA, attendees participated in
an end of course capstone exercise.
During the capstone, the advanced course students led teams comprised of
familiarization course students in securing workstations, servers, and networks
by defending against ethical aggressors in a simulated environment.
The challenging week culminated with a formal graduation
ceremony in which Maj. Gen. Ed Wilson, 24th Air Force commander presided and
gave the key-note speech. Wilson also presented multiple achievement awards to
outstanding cadets as well as certificates to all graduates.
“We’re extremely proud of what each of these cadets have
accomplished this week. The need to grow our nation’s next generation of cyber
warriors increases day by day. The men and women of the 24th Air Force are
honored to be an integral part of programs like the Cyber Defense Training
Academy and I hope these cadets will continue to learn, grow and potentially
serve as Air Force cyber professionals.” said Wilson.