ONCD and CISA Award the Winners of the Fifth Annual President’s Cup Cybersecurity Competition

May 20, 2024

WASHINGTON – Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) awarded the winners of the fifth annual President’s Cup Cybersecurity Competition in a private ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.   

The 2024 first place team winner was “Artificially Intelligent,” a team with participants from the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. The winner of the 2024 Individuals Track A was U.S. Army Major Nolan Miles, and the winner of the 2024 Individuals Track B was Staff Sergeant Michael Torres from the U.S. Marine Corps.  

“The President’s Cup provides a unique opportunity to create a network of cyber professionals across government organizations, allowing these groups to compete for the best outcomes while simultaneously learning from and working alongside leaders across the government,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly. “The government must rise to the occasion and lead by example by rigorously training, competing, and innovating so that we are prepared to address the cyber-enabled threats that stand in front of us. This is why this program is so important.”

“The President’s Cup Cybersecurity Competition brings out the best in our Nation’s cyber workforce and today’s ceremony at the White House provided a fitting tribute to the talent, dedication and service of the men and women who work everyday to protect us in our increasingly digital world,” said White House National Cyber Director Harry Coker, Jr. “I’m proud to recognize, reward, and celebrate the accomplishments of our winners in this competition but I’m even prouder to acknowledge their service to the Nation. Their work is vital, their service is appreciated, and we – as a Nation – are all better, safer, and stronger because of their efforts.”

The President’s Cup is led and hosted by CISA and presents competitors with a series of challenges designed around the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework Work Roles to identify, recognize, and reward the best cybersecurity talent across the federal workforce.

CISA developed this interactive competition to invest in the professional development of federal employees and bring awareness to having skilled talent in cybersecurity careers.

This year’s competition provided a unique training opportunity that included an interactive story-based video game featuring a series of challenges aligned to the NICE Framework Work roles to enhance and embrace participants’ skills as they outwit and outthink their competitors. 

Another new element to the competition was the ICScape Room, an immersive, hands-on experience that provided challengers with a realistic and relatable scenario, compelling them to apply their expertise, teamwork, and collaboration skills to achieve optimal solutions.

The President’s Cup Cybersecurity Competition is open to the federal civilian workforce and members of the military. Watch videos from the 2024 and previous competitions and learn more information about the annual event at President’s Cup Cybersecurity Competition.