by Rachel Zemel ‘13

According to a Pew Research Center survey, 93 percent of teens use their desktop computers or laptops to go online. Like most users, students deal with computers that are often prone to viruses, hacking and other vulnerabilities. However, the students on the Sherwood Cyber Warriors and Sherwood Firewall Team proved their adeptness at protecting computers from vulnerabilities at the first ever Maryland Cyber Challenge and Conference (MDC3) held on Saturday, October 22.

At the finals, the Cyber Warriors won first place in the competition, receiving $5000 scholarships to the college of each Cyber Warriors’ choice, a special dinner with Governor O’Malley and internships at the Science Applications International Corporation.

“It is one of the best feelings I have had during high school. I have never really taken place in a competition like this so it was a thrill to win and show that Sherwood is the best in the cybersecurity division,” said senior Tim Spillman, captain of the Cyber Warriors.

The competition consisted of three rounds, the final taking place at the Baltimore Convention Center. Other schools around Maryland, such as Poolesville, Centennial, and Harford Technical, have teams. During the competition, the teams protect computers from threats, like hacks. If a computer is hacked, the team must resolve the issue and remove the vulnerability.

“We are protecting against people who use computers to gain opportunities to receive unauthorized access to data. We, in a sense, build up a defense against intruders, creating difficult passwords using letters, numbers and characters and performing updates,” explained Sherwood Firewall Team member senior Felix Ezeanyaeche.

Both teams prepare together at Firewall Team Co-Captain junior Peter Kirk’s house every Saturday and sometimes Tuesday. At the meetings, the members learn about cybersecurity from Kirk’s father, who is a network security analyst, and practice skills.

“As a programming student, I always looked for new ways to expand my knowledge of computers. When the opportunity of cybersecurity came up with the possibility of scholarships and internships, it was a no-brainer,” explained Cyber Warriors member junior Ryan King.

The Sherwood Firewall Team, also placing high in the competition, won fifth place. “We are competing, but honestly, as long as one of our teams win, I am happy. We have to compete, but it’s always great to see our school win first place … [The MDC3] gave me connections to people in the field, and I might have an internship during the summer,” said junior Craig Weiss, captain of Firewall Team.

Participation in the MDC3 has altered the members’ career aspirations. Spillman plans to major in cybersecurity in college. Kirk is now considering career options in computer security rather than computer programming or game development.

“Computers are the future of mankind, and being on the forefront of all technological advancements seems like a pretty good life to live,” said King.