SANS Institute Launches Free Veterans Day Cybersecurity Contest

SANS Institute, the global leader in cybersecurity training, is hosting the Veterans Day BootUp Capture the Flag (CTF), a 72-hour competition for people early in their cybersecurity careers, in partnership with ACT Now Education, a nonprofit that connects military-connected individuals with no-cost education, professional development, and career resources. Sponsored by ACT Now Education, the competition is free to participants. 
The competition offers people exploring cybersecurity a practical introduction to the field. Participants can build experience through hands-on challenges without paying for access, including service members, veterans, and military spouses considering civilian career opportunities.

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“Protecting our digital world takes people who can think critically, adapt, and solve problems under pressure. Our BootUp Capture the Flag experience gives participants a place to start with hands-on cybersecurity challenges where they can explore, learn from mistakes, and build confidence in a safe environment. Together with ACT Now Education, we’re making that experience free, helping service members, veterans, military spouses and their dependents discover their potential and take a first step toward a new mission in cybersecurity,” said Kajal Shelat, Director, Strategic Partnerships & Business Development at SANS Institute.

The BootUp CTF is built for beginner and intermediate players. Participants work through hands-on, gamified challenges on the Ranges.io platform, with room to try approaches that might not work and learn from them. The event is open to anyone, anywhere. 

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The top three competitors will each receive a subscription to SANS Skills Quest. Placement is determined by hit rate, defined by SANS as the fewest total attempts across all completed challenges. If more than three competitors are tied on hit rate, the tie-breaker is the fastest challenge completion time within that group. Previous SANS BootUp CTF winners may participate but are not eligible to win a prize.

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“Military experience builds problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability. This competition gives participants a no-cost opportunity to apply those strengths to cybersecurity challenges and explore a potential career path,” said Jai Salters, Founder and Executive Director of ACT Now Education. “Our partnership with SANS helps remove a financial barrier to hands-on learning.”