Zach Price

My CyberPatriot Journey - Learning Cybersecurity Hands-On

Mastering Networking Security

First on the list was networking security. This was really the set of solid information I had gotten on these topics. IP addresses, DNS, DHCP - these terms became everyday companions. CyberPatriot taught me the ropes of securing networks, a skill that I still use to this day.

Diving into Virtualization

Virtualization really fascinated me. I really hadn’t done anything with virtualization before this. The fact that I could use VMWare to create, configure, and manage virtual environments was amazing. These newfound skills were incredibly useful. I actually used this info to help boot Windows, MacOS, and Linux on my MacBookPro.

CyberPatriot introduced me to a diverse array of operating systems I had never interacted with before - Windows, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Ubuntu, and more. This diversity gave me a good sense of adaptability.

Unmasking Exploits

I got a huge amount of information within the world of exploits. I researched into the mechanics of various exploits and vulnerabilities, seeing how they work, what they do, and what security flaws they can take advantage of.

Season 2: Taking the Helm as a Team Leader

In the second season, I took on the role of a team leader. I shared the knowledge gained in Season 1, fostering collaboration and camaraderie.

Competing and Scoring Live

CyberPatriot really had some great high-stakes competitions. These would usually unfold over several hours. Live scoring was a really great feature and made the competitions very satisfying; the system was able to tell you exactly what you did right to gain points.

A Program That Keeps Giving

CyberPatriot really was a great experience that taught me a lot of different things. The practical skills I gained continue to be incredibly useful. Networking security, virtualization, operating systems, and exploits - these skills really did allow me to create my own computer repair business with confidence.

Gratitude to Aurora Civil Air Patrol

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Aurora Civil Air Patrol squadron for their unwavering support throughout my CyberPatriot journey. Programs like CyberPatriot nurture the cybersecurity leaders of tomorrow, and I’m proud to have been a part of it.

As I navigate the ever-changing world of cybersecurity, the lessons from CyberPatriot stay with me, ready to defend and secure the digital realm.