William & Mary and NATO ACT Cybersecurity Challenge

William & Mary and NATO ACT invite undergraduates from around the world to compete in an international cybersecurity case competition

William & Mary’s Global Innovation Challenge (WMGIC) will partner with the Whole of Government Center of Excellence and NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) to host the first WMGIC x NATO ACT Cybersecurity Challenge on the topic of disinformation and election interference in the cyber realm. The event will be held virtually over Zoom on Friday, November 12, 2021, from 8 am to 1:45 pm ET (12 pm to 5:45 pm GMT). The opening of the competition will feature keynote remarks by NATO ACT’s Cyberspace Branch and will be broadcast live to the public over Zoom at 8 am ET (12pm GMT).

Student teams will receive a detailed case study prior to the start of the challenge. William & Mary and NATO ACT will present a scenario based on current global threats and challenges that will include background information, such as details on tactics used by key nations and proxy groups.

The deadline to register for this event is November 5, 2021.

During the Challenge and over the course of six hours, teams will work with mentors to design a recommended plan of action for NATO based on the case study, research question, and task. Each plan of action will consider NATO’s existing capacity and consider what actions NATO should implement within the next 12 months. Panels of expert judges will evaluate the proposals and select five winners. The winners will be announced at the conclusion of the Challenge in a live Zoom event/webinar from 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET (5 pm to 5:45 pm GMT).

This Challenge is open to undergraduate students in universities nationwide and internationally from NATO Member Nations. The entire event is conducted in English. Each team will be comprised of three to five students. All levels of experience, and all majors are welcome. A total of $2,500 in cash prizes will be awarded.

Cybersecurity experts interested in serving as judges or mentors for this or future WMGIC Challenges may contact wmgic@wm.edu.

To enter the Challenge, please click the “Team Registration”, click here.

To view opening and closing ceremonies as a member of the general public, select the “General Registration”, click here.

 

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