Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools
 By  GreggParker Published 
4:04 pm Friday, December 16, 2016

CyberPatriots study digital security

In CyberPatriot competition at Bob Jones High School, student teams were joined by Mayor Paul Finley, cyber security teacher Lee Ann Pessoney, ISACA technical mentor Kevin Cedeno and Camber technical mentor Jacob Henson. CONTRIBUTED

In CyberPatriot competition at Bob Jones High School, student teams were joined by Mayor Paul Finley, cyber security teacher Lee Ann Pessoney, ISACA technical mentor Kevin Cedeno and Camber technical mentor Jacob Henson. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – CyberPatriots at Bob Jones High School are learning on-campus benefits in ethics, cyberbullying and mobile device security, along with at-home protection with virtualized systems and networks.
CyberPatriots conducted their second qualification round at Bob Jones on Dec. 9th.
A typical competition round starts at 8 a.m. and continues until around 4 p.m. Each competing team receives a virtual image of an Operating System (OS) and will be scored based on the amount of system vulnerabilities. When the virtual environment opens, the team has six hours to complete it.
Special guests included Mayor Paul Finley, cyber security teacher Lee Ann Pessoney, Camber technical mentor Jacob Henson and ISACA technical mentor Kevin Cedeno.
“Cyber is this generation’s Space Race,” Cedeno said. “Attacks keep happening and have the potential to affect health services, banking, power infrastructure and even our voting system.” Cedeno is Director of Communications for ISACA Huntsville Chapter and volunteers at Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools.
All CyberPatriot teams can participate in two open qualifying rounds. Team scores from the rounds are added to determine placement in one of three tiers. Each tier (Platinum, Gold and Silver) has a state and regional round. All teams can participate in a state round within tier placements.
The CyberPatriot organization is open to any Bob Jones or James Clemens student, regardless of technical experience. Computers are provided for practices and competitions.
“A typical meeting may consist of reviewing settings and performing OS tasks. We discuss tactics from last season or last competition. We put together a ‘Battle Plan’ for the next round. We anticipate vulnerabilities involved in the next images,” Cedeno said.
The cyber club “is a fun, challenging and rewarding activity for students who would otherwise learn and be tempted to practice skills without guidance,” Cedeno said. “The club also gives students exposure to the profession and hopefully help widen their career choices.”
CyberPatriots need companies and individuals who would sponsor competition rounds. Technical mentors need knowledge of Windows/Linux Operating Systems and Cisco networks.
In 2016, sponsors have included ISACA Huntsville, CyberProtex and Camber, along with private donations by Greg Hanis and Kevin Cedeno.
For more information, email lpessoney@madisoncity.k12.al.us or visit uscyberpatriot.org and click “Competition.”
Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, will present the third annual Rocket City Marching Invit...
Mayor Paul Finley bids farewell, reflects on accomplishments at 2025 Madison Update
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - Madison Mayor Paul Finley will be leaving the office of mayor this Nov. after sitting out the Aug. 26 election. Finley addressed the busines...
District 6 seat to be decided Tuesday in runoff election
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - There is one final race to be decided from Madison’s municipal Aug. 26 election. The representative for District 6 on the Madison City Counc...
Heart of the Valley YMCA exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, renews mission focus
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – On Sept. 8, Heart of the Valley YMCA announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development marks a new chapter ...
MCDAB presents check to Parks and Recreation, chairperson steps down
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - After serving as the chairperson for the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB) for nine years, Janessa Crosswy is moving and steppi...
State lawmakers, local city leaders meet with Space Command leader to discuss transition
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By ALEX ANGLE Alabama Daily News 
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — Space Command is moving quickly to bring the headquarters to Huntsville through meetings with members of the state’s congressional delega...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Book...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *