First class graduates from US Cyber Challenge Delaware Camp

The Diamond State is doing its part to combat the cyberspace threats that seek to destroy the United States' infrastructure and undermine national security.

United States Cyber Challenge Delaware Camp held its first graduation Friday, Aug. 13 at Wilmington University.

Delaware is one of only three states chosen to host a cyber-security training camp in 2010, aiming to develop skills and prepare students to protect vital infrastructure in the face of an extreme shortage of qualified personnel.

"There are about 1,000 people in the U.S. who have the specialized skills to operate effectively against these criminals at a world-class level in cyberspace," said Jim Gosler, founding director of the CIA's Clandestine Information Technology Office. "To be effective, we need 10,000 to 30,000."

Cyber threats are increasing in complexity, volume and seriousness as criminals and terrorists armed with a computer and some knowledge can reach across borders and through walls. Cyber-security experts are needed by state agencies like the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI), as well as the National Security Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Large and small companies nationwide are also facing challenges that put critical infrastructure and services at risk, including the nation's electric grid, the telecommunications network and the financial system.

Twenty students from the University of Delaware and Wilmington University were chosen to participate in the Cyber Challenge Delaware Camp.

Among them were Hockessin resident Mark Pellegrini, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in computer engineering at the University of Delaware, and New Castle resident Enjolokee Jones, who is pursuing a master’s degree in information assurance at Wilmington University.

Pellegrini got his first computer, an Apple II GS, when he was 5 years old. In high school he began to learn programming languages, and upon entering college he decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering with a minor in computer science. He previously worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, measuring the performance of nuclear simulations running on supercomputers.

“We are a society that is increasingly dependent on computers and computer networks to do everything from shopping online and sending text messages to investing for retirement and emergency response,” Pellegrini said. “If we are going to be so dependent on computers for our daily needs, it is critical that we take steps to guarantee that they are reliable and secure.”

Jones served in the Marine Corps from 2002 to 2006 and entered college to pursue an education focusing on cyber security. He was a member of Team WILMU01 that won the undergraduate category of the DC3 Digital Forensic Challenge in 2009.
 
“Over the past years, there have been many incidents involving the use of computer to commit crime,” Jones said. “Cyber security is important because it helps to prevent, protect, detect, and respond to malicious cyber acts.”

Gov. Jack Markell, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Delaware’s Chief Information Officer Jim Sills attended the ceremony.

“This is great job training for the individuals involved, but we all enjoy the benefits,”  Markell said. "The camp is preparing them to defend our safety and our economic system; our lives and our livelihoods are on the line. Furthermore, this is part of a broader effort to build on Delaware’s legacy of innovation and attract more high-tech employers.”

The week-long camp was hosted at Wilmington University with the support of the University of Delaware, Delaware Technical & Community College, the SANS Institute, and the Delaware Department of Technology and Information. Students attended an intensive schedule of learning sessions each day, met with cyber experts during the evenings, and toured the State Police High Tech Crimes Lab. They faced a series of challenges on hacking, digital forensics, incident handling, and penetration testing, culminating in a fierce “Capture the Flag” competition today.

"Once again, the First State is leading the way forward for our nation, this time in the critical effort to secure our most important infrastructures from the growing threat of cyber terrorism and cyber crime," Carper said. "I hope we can look forward to many more of these cyber camp ‘graduations’ in the coming years."

In June, Carper helped lead efforts to secure the passage of comprehensive cyber-security legislation by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010 aims to modernize, strengthen and coordinate the security of critical federal, civilian and private-sector infrastructure networks. The act is expected to be considered on the floor of the Senate in the fall.

Funding for the Delaware Cyber Camp initiative is provided through the US Cyber Challenge program, with support from the following: the SANS Institute, the Center for Internet Security, Microsoft, Qwest, LogicSecurity, SE Solutions, Juniper Networks, Cisco, The Pink Orange, and VMware.

List of Participating Students: