The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) wrapped up the 5th annual President’s Cup Cybersecurity Competition this week, culminating in the announcement of the champions across three categories.
The President’s Cup is a national competition designed to celebrate the best federal cybersecurity professionals. Three separate competitions take place:
- Individual Track A: Focused on defensive cybersecurity skills aligned with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework.
- Individual Track B: Emphasizes offensive cybersecurity techniques.
- Teams Competition: Combines defensive and offensive challenges for a collaborative test.
This year, “Artificially Intelligent,” a team comprised of members from the Department of Defense, U.S. Army, and U.S. Air Force, emerged victorious. Notably, four members were part of last year’s winning team, with one individual participating in all five President’s Cup competitions since its inception.
For the Individual Tracks, U.S. Army Major Nolan Miles dominated Track A, while U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Michael Torres secured the top spot in Track B. Notably, SSG Torres also achieved an impressive second-place finish in Track A, making him the first competitor to win President’s Cup in both Individual Tracks (Track A three times).
Celebrating Excellence in Cybersecurity
“The competition is a fantastic platform to showcase the remarkable talent within the U.S. government and military’s cybersecurity workforce,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly. “These competitors displayed the exceptional skills critical in this crucial field. Congratulations to all participants and winners – your dedication and expertise are vital in shaping our cybersecurity landscape and safeguarding our nation.”
Collaboration and Recognition
Throughout the week, CISA and U.S. Army leaders offered their insights and support to the competitors. They highlighted the diverse range of skills needed in cybersecurity and commended the inspiring level of collaboration showcased during the finals.
CISA hosted 36 finalists at its Washington D.C. facilities, with participants representing various federal agencies, including the FBI, Department of Transportation, Department of Defense, and branches of the U.S. military.
Open to all federal civilian employees and military personnel, the President’s Cup saw a record-breaking year with over 1,421 individuals and nearly 312 teams participating.
For more information about the President’s Cup, visit CISA.gov/PresidentsCup.
The competition is held in partnership with the Office of the National Cyber Director. The winners will be invited to a White House ceremony honoring their achievements.
