Photo By Joseph Siemandel | Group photo of Washington Army National Guard members from the Information Management...... read more read more
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In a high-stakes test of digital resilience, Washington Army National Guard cyber warriors joined forces with students at South Puget Sound Community College for the 17th Annual Pacific Rim Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, March 19-22, 2025.
A contingent from the Department of Information Management (DOIM) played a pivotal role in the event, with 15 soldiers serving as competition officials, opposing forces and social engineering specialists. Their expertise and real-world experience added a unique layer of authenticity to the simulated cybersecurity challenges that competing students face.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Olmsted, deputy chief information officer, explained that the Pacific Rim Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (PRCCDC) challenges students from Washington, Idaho, and Oregon to manage and protect a simulated commercial network, mimicking real-world scenarios.
"This annual event provides a unique learning environment, where students face realistic cyber threats under the guidance of Washington Army National Guard soldiers, who offer coaching and mentorship,” Olmstead said.
The winning team advances to the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, which provides invaluable experience for students entering the cybersecurity job market and highlights the Guard’s role in cyber defense.
For more than a decade, the Washington Army National Guard has cultivated a strong partnership with the college, making this three-day competition a cornerstone of their collaborative efforts.
Olmsted emphasized the mutual benefit of the event.
“It allows our soldiers to reinforce their skills while offering students valuable insights into both cybersecurity and the opportunities within the Guard,” said Olmstead.
The Washington National Guard’s cyber program is nationally recognized for its partnership with Washington’s Secretary of State’s office to help secure the state’s election system and for the infrastructure vulnerability assessments completed with various utility companies across the state.
| Date Taken: | 04.03.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2025 11:42 |
| Story ID: | 494478 |
| Location: | CAMP MURRAY, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 36 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Digital Frontlines: National Guard soldiers and students take part in Cyber Defense Competition, by Joseph Siemandel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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