Are you unsure of how to start training for CyberPatriot? Then this page is for you! These training modules provide a good foundation for the challenges teams will find in each of their virtual machine images, but they are not all-inclusive. After examining these modules, teams may dig further into each of the topics using the other links on the menu to the right. It is highly recommended that teams use the expertise of their Mentors to increase their knowledge and have greater success in the competition.

• Unit 1: Introduction to CyberPatriot and Cybersecurity – This module contains information about the CyberPatriot program and cybersecurity concepts in general. Topics include:
  • CyberPatriot basics
  • The importance of cybersecurity
  • Cyber careers

• Unit 2: Introduction to Online Safety and Ethics – This module outlines ways to stay safe on the Internet and outlines the fundamentals of ethical behavior in the real world. Topics include:
  • Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
  • Cyber ethics
  • Cyberbullying
  • Real world scenarios

• Unit 3: Principles of Cybersecurity – This module outlines understanding information security's goals and basic tools along with learning preventative countermeasures. Topics include:​
  • Cybersecurity principles
  • Threats and vulnerabilities
  • Basic cybersecurity techniques

• Unit 4: Computer Basics and Virtualization – This module provides information about computer hardware and the software used to play competition virtual machine images. Topics include:
  • Internal components of a computer
  • Operating system types and security
  • Basics of virtual computing
  • Broad understanding of major networking components and concepts

• Unit 5: Microsoft Windows Security Tool – Understand where basic Windows operating system security tools are located and how to manage Windows accounts. This module contains more advanced Windows security topics, including:
  • Control Panel and Windows Settings
  • Administrative Tools
  • Account management best practices
  • Security and Maintenance
  • Windows Defender Security Center
  • Windows Defender Firewall
  • Windows Update

• Unit 6: Microsoft Windows Security Configuration – Learn how to implement proper file-level permissions on Windows systems, how to best back up practices, and audit logging. Topics include:
  • File level permissions
  • Permission inheritance and parent/child relationships
  • Major backup techniques and types
  • Audit logging purpose and configuration
  • Performance monitoring purpose and configuration

• Unit 7: Introduction to Linux and Ubuntu - Understand the basics of Linux, including the nature, architecture, and differences/similarities with Windows. Topics include:
  • Linux Overview
  • Common Linux terms and definitions
  • Linux System architecture
  • Differences and similarities with Windows
  • The "sudo" command

• Unit 8: Ubuntu Security - Participants will understand how to configure major components of Linux, how to implement user-level configurations witi Ubuntu, understand commands that will be useful for securing a Linux machine, and understand system and audit logging. Topics include:
  • Basic GUI security
  • Basic command line security
  • Advanced Ubuntu security

• Unit 9: Introduction to Linux Mint - Review of Unit 7 and Unit 8 but covering how they are similar or different in Linux Mint from Ubuntu. Topics include:
  • Introduction of Linux Mint

• Unit 11: CyberPatriot Supplementary Training Videos - The videos demonstrate some of the major concepts covered in the training units. All videos are less than 10 minutes. Please review the training units before viewing the videos.

• Unit 12A: Additional Training Topics - Additional tips and resources for Web Servers, File Systems, MS Management Console, Group Policy, NTLM, SAM, FTP, Ports and Protocols.