CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition

Competition · Air & Space Forces Association (AFA)

Created by the Air & Space Forces Association, CyberPatriot's National Youth Cyber Defense Competition puts teams of high school (and middle school) students in charge of finding and fixing security vulnerabilities in virtual operating-system images during timed online rounds. Teams advance through state and semifinal rounds toward the National Finals. The Open Division is for any high school team; JROTC, Civil Air Patrol, and Naval Sea Cadet units compete in the All Service Division.

Who can apply

GradesGrades 9–12

Min GPA—

ScopeNational

StatesAll states

FieldsCybersecurity · Computer Science

Logistics

Cost to youFree to students; the team pays a $225 Open Division registration fee (waived for JROTC, Civil Air Patrol, Naval Sea Cadet, Title I, and all-girl teams)

Financial aidAvailable

StipendNot listed

FormatOnline

LengthSeason runs roughly July 2026-February 2027 (longer for finalists)

WhereOnline rounds; National Finals in person

AwardsNational Finals travel for top teams; scholarships and recognition for national winners

Applying

OpensOpen now (CyberPatriot XIX)

DueCompetitors must be on a team roster by October 21, 2026 (team creation closed Oct 1)

You submitA coach (teacher or adult) registers a team of 2-6 students by October 1 and pays the team fee unless waived; rounds run online from the team's own computers.

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