(l-r) Dylan Richmond, Sean Futch, Jingcheng Yang, and Dewank Pant

Thirty-eight teams from 26 universities in 14 states competed in the sixth annual Cyber 9/12 Student Challenge. Sponsored by the Atlantic Council and MITRE Corporation, the competition is designed to offer students in diverse academic disciplines the opportunity to engage in a policy exercise in cyber conflict.  Students are confronted with a cyber policy challenge and must respond with written and oral presentations in front of a panel of judges. Three rounds of competition are held, with new information about the exercise scenario presented in each round. Teams are judged based on the soundness of their policy responses, their decision-making, and teamwork.

This year’s competition was held at American University in Washington, D.C. on March 16-17. JHUISI was represented by six students on two teams. The following four students, Dylan Richmond, Dewank Pant, Jingcheng Yang, and Sean Futch, formed the “JHU Sentinels” team, coached by Dr. Terry Thompson.  Matt Shonman and Eric Schlieber participated on the “I3P Fellows” team that also included two graduate students from George Washington University and George Mason University. Both teams advanced from the qualifying round to the semi-finals. The winning team was from the Air Force Cyber University.

“A highlight of the event was a reception at the law firm of Baker McKenzie where participants were treated to a keynote address by White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Rob Joyce,” said Dr. Terry Thompson. “Cyber 9/12 is a great opportunity for students to engage in a significant exercise in cyber policy, to network with students and faculty from other universities, and to meet representatives from industry who provided several informative talks over the two days of the event. With solid performances in 2018, JHUISI students are looking forward to next year,” said Thompson.

For more information about the Atlantic Council and Cyber 9/12, click here.