Polk Times

LAKELAND, FL—Central Florida students had the opportunity to showcase their hacking skills at a beginner-level cyber Capture the Flag (CTF) tournament hosted by Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18) at Florida Southern College. The event aimed to inspire young minds to pursue careers in cybersecurity and STEM-related fields.

In light of the escalating cyberthreats from foreign adversaries such as China, Rep. Franklin emphasized the need to address the shortage of cybersecurity professionals in the country. He stated, "Events like this challenge and inspire the next generation to develop the skills necessary to meet our high-tech security needs." The congressman expressed his gratitude to Cyber Florida, Florida Southern College, and the educators and community leaders who contributed to the success of the event.

A CTF tournament is a computer security competition that resembles a hackathon. Teams of four student competitors are presented with hacking challenges, and the team that solves the most problems and captures the most flags emerges as the winner.

Over 130 students from schools across FL-18's eight counties participated in the tournament. Prominent educational institutions such as Moore Haven Middle-High School, Bartow High School, George Jenkins High School, Lakeland Christian School, and McKeel Academy were represented. It was the teams from McKeel Academy in Lakeland, Florida that secured the top three spots, showcasing their exceptional skills and talent.

The event not only provided a platform for students to demonstrate their abilities but also served as an opportunity for attendees to learn about potential careers in cybersecurity and higher education options. Several organizations were present at the event to share information, including the City of Lakeland Information Technology Department, Polk County Sheriff's Office Computer Crimes Unit, Cyber Florida at the University of South Florida, Florida Southern College Computer Science Department, United States Special Operations Command J6, and Thrive Networks.

The youth cyber Capture the Flag event organized by Rep. Scott Franklin proved to be a resounding success in fostering interest and talent in the field of cybersecurity. With the increasing need for skilled professionals in this sector, initiatives like these play a crucial role in shaping the future of national cybersecurity.

Source: [Franklin.house.gov](https://franklin.house.gov/2023/11/franklin-hosts-youth-cyber-capture-the-flag-event)

To find out more, go to this link: https://franklin.house.gov/2023/11/franklin-hosts-youth-cyber-capture-the-flag-event