The fifth annual 3CS is expected to attract more than 450 cybersecurity students, faculty, staff and industry professionals from across the country. Another 150-plus students and jobseekers are expected to attend the Pre-Summit Job Fair and the National Cyber League (NCL) tournament, both held Thursday, Aug. 2. This year marks the first year that 3CS will host an NCL – a tournament in which students test their skills in ethical hacking and other cybersecurity practices while competing individually and on teams to complete digital challenges.

“The NCL event is a great opportunity for cybersecurity students to show off their skills,” said Wayne Machuca, an instructor of Computer Information Systems at MHCC. “They’ll receive a scouting report from the tournament, and employers and hiring managers can observe the competition.”

Students from community colleges across the country are invited to participate in the NCL. Tournament participants are separated into three tiers – Gold, Silver and Bronze – based on their experience.

“The NCL really gives students some great feedback on their strengths and weaknesses,” Machuca added. “They can then go forward to build on their skills and compete in a higher tier next time.”

The symposium portion of 3CS will offer four participant Tracks based experience and interests. They include:

• Track 1, New to Cybersecurity – For colleges and faculty new to cybersecurity.
• Track 2, Experienced in Cybersecurity and CAE2Y Aspirants – Learn how your college can qualify as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense 2-Year (CAE2Y) institution.
• Track 3, Expanding Expertise – Transforming Cybersecurity Programs – Discover strategies for providing cybersecurity students educations that prepare them for an evolving industry.
• Track 4, Students – Targeted towards students; includes topics of interest to students studying cybersecurity.

Interested in attending or learning more? Visit my3cs.org