The Cyber Sentinel Skills Challenge is your chance to showcase your skills, win your share of $15,000 in cash prizes, and kickstart a career with the US Department of Defense
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
The Mission: This DoD-sponsored competition is designed to identify individuals interested in pursuing a cybersecurity career with the DoD. Our mission is to find experienced and emerging cybersecurity job-seekers looking to advance their careers while safeguarding our nation’s critical, digital infrastructure.
The Challenge: Participants will be given a series of real-world challenges that represent the skillsets most in-demand by the DoD. These challenges are designed to measure your understanding of tasks and test your technical, analytical, and strategic abilities in the following skills categories: Forensics, Malware/ Reverse Engineering, Networking & Reconnaissance, Open-Source Intelligence Gathering (OSINT) and Web Security.
The Reward: Winners of the competition will not only get the unique opportunity to learn more about jobs with DoD, but also a share of the $15,000 cash prize pool.
Who Can Participate: Applicants must be US citizens (native or naturalized) and over the age of 18 to qualify. Individuals from all levels of cybersecurity experience, whether you are a seasoned cybersecurity professional or just starting in the field, with a genuine interest in a career at the DoD, are welcome to apply.
PRIZES
- $5,000 – 1st place
- $2,500 – 2nd place
- $1,000 – 3rd place
- $500 – 4th – 10th places
- $300 – Ten raffle prizes, anyone who completes a challenge will be eligible to win
DISCOVER THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR CAREER AT THE DOD
JOB OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT
Pursue career opportunities with US DoD and play a critical role in defending our national security
$15,000 CASH PRIZE POOL
Showcase your cybersecurity skills while competing for a chance to win cash prizes
SKILLS-BASED HIRING
Apply your technical skills to a unique set of challenges that represent real-world, on-the-job tasks
HOW DO I APPLY TO THE COMPETITION?
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application- HELP US GET TO KNOW YOU
The application takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and will help us understand your professional experience and career goals.
Enrollment- PREPARE FOR THE COMPETITION
After we review and accept your application, we will send you instructions to finalize your enrollment in the competition. A few days before the competition, we will share with you the credentials to register on the competition platform and the full set of instructions to successfully participate.
KEY DATES
Apr. 21- Round 3 Deadline APPLY NOW
May 15- Applications Close
May 17- Competition Credentials Shared
May 18- Competition Takes Place
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who should apply?
- U.S. citizens (native or naturalized) over the age of 18 with an interest in cybersecurity and considering a career at the DoD should apply. U.S. Citizens living abroad are eligible and encouraged to apply. U.S. Permanent Residents, U.S. Residents, and other visa holders that do not have U.S. citizenship are NOT eligible.
- Are there any prerequisites to apply?
No specific career or education prerequisites are required, but a background or interest in cybersecurity is beneficial. Applicants must be US citizens (native or naturalized) and over the age of 18 to be eligible for the competition. - Is there a cost to participate?
No, the competition is 100% FREE for everyone. There is no cost to apply or participate. - What is the application process?
- Fill out the online application form, which includes questions about your cybersecurity experience, skills, and background.
- When should I apply?
As soon as possible to ensure your spot, given we may need to limit participants due to high demand. Early applicants will also receive additional career development resources and support from Correlation One. The current application deadline can be found in the “Key Dates” section above. - How will I know if I have successfully applied and registered?
Applicants will receive a confirmation email after they complete their application. The week before the competition, we will send all qualified applicants the information to register for the competition. - What skills are tested in the competition?
The competition will have challenges in the following skills categories: Forensics, Malware/ Reverse Engineering, Networking & Reconnaissance, Open-Source Intelligence Gathering (OSINT) and Web Security. Each category will have challenges of easy, medium, and hard difficulty. - What software or hardware do I need to participate?
A modern web browser and internet connection are required. If additional toolsets are required, they will be open-source and we will notify participants before the competition. - What are the rewards for winning the competition?
Prizes include $5,000 for 1st place, $2,500 for 2nd place, $1,000 for 3rd place, and $500 for 4th-10th places. There will also be ten $300 prizes raffled off to participants. Anyone who completes a challenge during the competition will have a chance to win the raffle. Prize winners will be asked to provide proof of their eligibility in order to receive their prize. - When and where will the competition take place?
The competition will take place online on May 18th. We will provide all registered participants with the credentials to access the competition the week before the competition starts. - Can students participate in the competition?
Yes, students are eligible to participate in the competition. Working professionals and unemployed individuals are eligible as well. The only eligibility requirements are that applicants must be US citizens (native or naturalized) and over the age of 18. - What’s the competition format?
The competition will be a Capture the Flag (CTF) format, with challenges across various cybersecurity categories. - If I do not participate in the competition, can I still apply for a job at the DoD?
Yes, not participating in competition does not preclude you from applying for jobs at the DoD. We recommend that you still fill out the application form so Correlation One can assist you in your job application process.