Oklahoma Crushes Cyber Competitions: Teamwork and Learning Lead to Victory

The world of cybersecurity is a constant battle, and Oklahoma recently emerged victorious on two major fronts!

Double Win for Oklahoma Teams

In June, the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services, home of the state’s Cyber Command team, participated in Cyber Shield, a large-scale cyber defense training exercise hosted by the National Guard. OMES also competed in SANS NetWars, an annual game held during Cyber Shield that focuses on the practical application and assessment of hands-on cybersecurity training. This was the fourth year OMES cybersecurity professionals participated.

Challenges like these not only provide upskilling opportunities with the latest technology and best practices, but also help the State of Oklahoma stay at the forefront of cybersecurity, defend against threats, and keep state networks and citizen data safe.

27 teams from around the world participated in Cyber Shield 2024, including 900 National Guard members, Army Reserve soldiers, airmen, civilian cyber professionals and international partners.

The state fielded two NetWars teams, and both excelled! One team secured a first-place finish, while the other took home a notable fourth place.

Oklahoma didn't stop there! The state's Cyber Shield team also achieved a remarkable first-place victory for the third year in a row. 

More Than Just Winning: A Journey of Learning

These competitions aren't just about winning trophies. They are valuable learning experiences for all participants, who can apply what they learn in real-world scenarios.

The NetWars competition challenged a wide range of cybersecurity skills, including log analysis, open-source intelligence (OSINT), reverse engineering and penetration testing. It was a fantastic opportunity to hone these skills in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Anton Bondarev, OMES senior security engineer, said he enjoyed learning fresh capabilities in his field.

“For me personally, a highlight was learning about reverse engineering a mobile app – a completely new experience that expanded my skillset,” he said.

Bondarev said that Cyber Shield provided a realistic simulation of defending a network. Over four days, he and several other OMES employees acted as a "blue team," protecting a simulated network with dozens of servers, workstations and even Internet of Things (IoT) devices from simulated attacks by an offensive "red team."

“Each day brought a new Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) scenario, requiring quick adaptation and problem-solving skills,” said Bondarev. “It was a fantastic way to learn about critical infrastructure systems and delve deeper into incident response tools like Velociraptor.”

Oklahoma's Secret Weapon: Experience and Collaboration

This isn't Oklahoma's first rodeo. The state's cyber defense teams have a three-year winning streak in these competitions. This success can be attributed to several factors.

The teams are comprised of seasoned professionals with diverse skill sets. This combination of experience and expertise allows the team to tackle complex challenges from multiple angles.

Bondarev acknowledged that the team spirit is phenomenal. 

Teamwork and collaboration are essential in cybersecurity. OMES Cyber Command and the Oklahoma National Guard Defensive Cyber Operations Element have a long-standing partnership that enhances the cybersecurity capabilities statewide. The constant collaboration between these two organizations provides opportunities for training staff to protect and defend critical infrastructures that impact the citizens of Oklahoma.

Continuous Learning and Collaboration: The Key to Success

Bondarev explained that these experiences magnify the importance of being adaptable and constantly learning new tools.

“The knowledge and experience gained from working with my talented teammates at OMES were invaluable,” he said. “My daily work as a security engineer directly translated into skills applicable to these competitions, and vice versa.”

These competitions showcase Oklahoma's strong cybersecurity capabilities and commitment to continuous learning. With this dedication, Oklahoma is sure to continue its reign in the ever-evolving world of cyber defense.