Cyber Defense Challenge for teens slated

Middle and high school students who want to burnish their cybersecurity skills -- or learn more about careers in computer science and cybersecurity -- can attend a workshop Wednesday, June 27.

The event, a "Cyber Defense Challenge for Teens," will be offered in two identical sessions, from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2:30 p.m., at the Livermore Public Library, 1188 S. Livermore Avenue.

The cyber challenges, presented by Lab researchers, will offer several levels of difficulty to accommodate participants ranging in age and experience from middle to high school.

Teens participating in the workshop will use Raspberry Pi computer infrastructures to compete against each other in a Jeopardy-style "capture the flag cyber challenge that will include 8-10 areas, such as reverse engineering and cryptography.

The activity will familiarize participants with tools such as Firefox, Wireshark, gdb, python and pattern/logic skills.

Celeste Matarazzo and Evi Dube, of LLNL’s Cyber Defenders program, will run the event and serve as mentors with technical support and coaching from several Lab employees and LLNL Cyber Defender student interns.

Registration is required for the free workshop. It is open to all middle and high school students, including non-Livermore residents.

To sign up, go to the youth room information desk at the Livermore Public Library or phone (925) 373-5504.