“On the playing field, as in the Security Operations Center, skills matter. But trust, communication and teamwork matter more. Cyber sports teach security professionals to think critically and creatively about offense and defense, about the measures and counter-measures associated with every move.”
--Jessica Gulick, CEO, KATZCY Consulting
Sports — participatory contests of strength, skill and speed — have long been used as metaphors for life’s contests. Analogies from the sports world are often used to inform everyday discussions on topics from business to education to politics. “Monday morning quarterbacking,” “knocked it out of the park,” “full court press” and so on — the language of athletic competitions has invaded the lexicon of everyday life in America.
Competition makes for great storytelling. Conflict is universally understood, and tension and interest are created as athletes and spectators eagerly await the outcome of the contests, equally ready to laud the winners and criticize the losers. There’s a common desire to prevail and learn from the contests, uncovering the reasons behind a defeat and understanding the strategies that led to a win. Sports like baseball, soccer and football have taken the competitive structure to new levels.
For example, the National Football League’s Super Bowl is a sporting event unlike any other. At this culminating moment of the season, the Super Bowl pits two teams of elite athletes against each other, with their heroic exploits broadcast internationally, while celebrations are thrown in homes across the country as many Americans gather to watch the game. And sponsors pay premiums. Cyber competitions generally tap into this tradition of pitting one side against the other. Youth competitions offer participants a chance to learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity in a fun, engaging format and provide an entry point into the professional workforce.
Competitions provide a valuable learning opportunity for participants, regardless of skill level. “Cyber as a sport” is a growing trend in high schools; the number of high school teams that participated in the Air Force Association’s CyberPatriot doubled in a two-year period from over 2,200 in 2014 to over 4,000 in 2016. Educators increasingly recognize cyber competitions demonstrate and develop planning, leadership, collaboration and communication skills and offer a compelling alternative for students of all ages who are less likely to compete or excel at physical sports.
Finally, the safety, security and enjoyment aspects of competitions should not be overlooked. When practicing both offensive and defensive maneuvers in a typical competition environment, players are encouraged to practice and hone cybersecurity skills in a controlled, real-world environment where no harm can come to the competitors. Moreover, cyber competitions are enjoyed as a forum for networking, team building, and information sharing.
NIST/NICE: Cybersecurity Games: Building Tomorrow’s Workforce
