2:01 p.m., July 31, 2009----The University of Delaware and Wilmington University have been selected to jointly host a cyber camp for high school students and college undergraduates next summer. The cyber camp is part of the new U.S. Cyber Challenge, designed to identify and nurture America's top young people destined for careers in cyber security.

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U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) announced that the federal Center for Strategic and International Studies selected the State of Delaware as one of six state partners leading the Cyber Challenge.

The program will encourage high school and college students to learn advanced skills to protect computer networks by developing their abilities, giving them access to advanced education and exercises, and connecting them with colleges and employers where their talents can be of the greatest value to the nation.

“Every month we read more and more about cyber attacks against private citizens, companies, and even our government,” Carper said. “Unfortunately, our country doesn't have enough people who really know how to defend our critical networks from these types of attacks. I am proud that Delaware -- once again -- has been named as a state to help the United States continue be the most competitive and most secure nation in cyberspace today.”

The University of Delaware and Wilmington University have been chosen as locations for the challenge and will be models to build a new talent pool.

"The University of Delaware is the one of the nation's premiere research universities and we already have and are developing additional programs in our colleges that can help the nation meet the current need for advanced cyber security skills," UD President Patrick Harker said. "We will be exploring multiple options for identifying talented young people and developing their skills through summer camps, mini-courses, and interdisciplinary programs that will enhance the efforts of the United States Cyber Challenge."

Wilmington University President Jack Varsalona said that institution has long been a leader preparing young people for careers in high technology.

"Recognizing the critical shortage of cyber security professionals the nation now faces, we look forward to working with Gov. Markell and Sen. Carper to expand our cyber skills development programs. In particular we will be shaping plans to conduct cyber camps at the university as part of the United States Cyber Challenge," Varsalona said.

The program offers a variety of activities:

Selected Delaware high schools will take part in CyberPatriot, a high school Cyber Defense Competition conducted by the Air Force Association in which competitors attempt to analyze the security state of the competition network and then secure the systems while maintaining services and responding to hostile attacks.

High school and college students and some young professionals will take part in the DC3 Digital Forensics Challenge conducted by the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center, a competition in digital forensics in which contestants attempt to uncover evidence on digital media.

College students and young professionals will take part in the Network Attack Competition, a competition in network vulnerability discovery and exploitation, conducted by the SANS Institute.

Participants in the competition who show promising talent will be offered additional opportunities, including participation in Delaware cyber camps where they can learn and participate in more advanced competitions; opportunities for internships with key Delaware employers; opportunities to earn special recognition in the competition for placement at Delaware's top colleges; opportunities to win full scholarships and to attend advanced cyber security classes; and opportunities to compete for internships with America's top cyber security employers, including the Department of Energy National Laboratories and the National Security Agency.

“Protecting the public is one of government's most fundamental responsibilities,” said Delaware Gov. Jack Markell. “It is not enough to just worry about the criminals on the street. We also have to be prepared to protect Delawareans from on-line threats.”

For more information about the competitions, visit the U.S. Cyber Challenge Web site.

The Delaware state coordinator for the program is Elayne Starkey who can be reached via e-mail at [Elayne.Starkey@state.de.us].