Scott Nicholas
The National Security Agency and Parsons teamed up Monday to launch a four-day cybersecurity competition at the company’s Columbia, Md. cyber center for students from military institutions.
At least 150 competitors participate in the Cyber Defense Exercise that tests their ability to defend computer networks against network security intrusions or compromises, the company said Tuesday.
Teams design, build and configure the networks at their respective institutions and a group of judges evaluates each team’s ability to both maintain network operations as well as detect, respond to and recover from intrusions.
“We are continually reminded not only of the critical nature of the mission we serve but of the need to share our expertise to ensure the continued protection of our nation’s most sensitive information,” said Mary Ann Hopkins, head of Parsons’ federal business.
This represents the third consecutive year Parsons has served as host of the Cyber Defense Exercise.
NSA and Parsons will announce the competition winners Friday.
