BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Circadence® Corporation, a market leader in cybersecurity training and assessments, today announced it has partnered with the University of Colorado Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science and MD5 to host the 2017 cyberBUFFS Hackathon on Nov. 3-4.
The event aims to foster an interest in cybersecurity skills and careers for university students at all levels of cyber proficiency. Unlike previous cyber events, cyberBUFFS Hackathon participants will leverage the Circadence Project Ares® next generation training platform, which takes cybersecurity training out of the classroom and into an immersive, interactive real-world environment. Three training sections — minigames, battle rooms and full-scale cyber missions — focus on concepts at all skill levels and offer self-directed opportunities to build on cyber proficiencies through active learning.
Artificial intelligence (AI) components, powered by IBM Watson®, provide on-demand support and feedback to players, while also serving as dynamic opponents to enhance the challenge. Automated scoring enables both the player and supervisor to track professional and cyber skills development, while a live leaderboard adds excitement and fosters competition during the gaming experience.
“According to Gartner, there will be 1.8 million unfilled cybersecurity positions by 2022, and to meet the imminent and growing need for more skilled professionals, we must reach students early and show them the many benefits a career in cybersecurity offers,” said Mike Moniz, co-founder & CEO for Circadence. “The Project Ares platform was built by gaming and cybersecurity workforce development experts, so not only is it highly effective at training on cybersecurity skills, the attractive user interface and gamified approach are ideal for engaging students.”
The event will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, with an opening ceremony, pizza party, demo of Project Ares and TriviaLoot Challenge. On Saturday, Nov. 4, students will kick off the competition by earning experience points through minigames, and then move onto battle rooms as they improve their cyber abilities. During the final level of competition, participants will go head-to-head in putting their newly developed skills to the test during live cyber missions.
During the competition, eight winners will be selected based on performance and experience points earned within the training platform. During the closing ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 4, winners will be awarded prizes, including gift cards, sweatshirts and other items. The grand champion will earn a $500 scholarship.
Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. More information is available online.
About Circadence
Circadence® Corporation is a market leader in next-generation cybersecurity education and training. Circadence’s ecosystem is the first fully immersive, AI-powered cybersecurity training and assessment platform for government and enterprise organizations. Circadence’s solutions modernize outdated and largely generic cybersecurity training with an advanced online gaming platform that delivers persistent, immersive and real-to-life experiences that match and adapt to a contemporary threat environment. For more information on Circadence, visit www.circadence.com/.
