CHINA LAKE, Calif., –The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Information Technology and Information Management (IT/IM) Department Corporate Computing Facility recently hosted a visit by the local Civil Air Patrol (CAP). They were interested in learning about the importance of cyber security with a focus on computer safety and ethics, as well as gather information to prepare for the cyber defense competition, CyberPatriot IV.

The visit included real time examples of what it takes to provide continuous server and application hosting of computer systems. Discussions included, “What is a Data Center? Computer Security, Social Network Awareness, a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) packet sequencing ‘Mitnick’ Attack, Server Hardware, Fire Suppression System, and Data Center Electrical Systems.”

The China Lake IT/IM Data Center team comprising John Bradley, Mike Chicoine, Robert Fabans, Will Irvin, Mark Panasci, Eric Shoaf, Dale Sears, Carlos Tilliman, Bob Voelker, Carl Whitely, and Byron Vink gave presentations, demonstrations and a Data Center walk-through. Between them, the IT team has over 100 years of combined knowledge in the field of Information Systems Security, along with a combination of security certifications ranging from Security+ to Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Savannah Voelker, a member of the CAP team says, “The Civil Air Patrol visit to the China Lake Data Center was both fun and very educational. I believe that it will not only help us with CyberPatriot IV, but will help us to be smarter on the internet."

CyberPatriot IV is the premiere national high school cyber defense competition created by the Air Force Association to inspire high school students toward careers in cyber security or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future. Now in its fourth phase, CyberPatriot IV is open to all high schools or accredited home school programs around the country. CyberPatriot involves team work, having an understanding of computer technology, and awareness of cyberspace security issues. CyberPatriot is also intended to increase interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Cyber security has grown rapidly over the past few years. Protecting computers in the workplace and classroom, as well as keeping our personal computers safe, play a crucial role in protecting our nation’s Internet infrastructure. Educating our children on how to become good cyber citizens now will better prepare them for rapidly changing new technologies as they unfold.