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CyberDawgs Team Tryout Information [UPDATED 11/16]

FRI, DEC 1 [12:00 - 15:00] | SAT, DEC 2 [12:00 - 15:00]

Hey CyberDawgs, 

Below is Information on the team tryouts, coming to you December 1st & 2nd

First, here is the Team Application Form (must fill out prior to arrival):

And the Team/Tryout Information Slides:

Overview:
As a team, the CyberDawgs participate in numerous collegiate cyber competitions where we have achieved national recognition, including DOE CyberForce in Illinois, ISTS in New York, and MACCDC right here at home in Maryland. 

While we have a history of success and high achievement, we're not just looking for folks who are already cybersecurity gurus. You do need to have a solid defensive cyber foundation, but our highest emphases are on communication, group cohesion, and being able to continue doing this for fun.

When/Where
  • ENG 231 (probably)
  • Friday, 01 DEC, 12:00 - 15:00
  • Saturday, 02 DEC, 12:00 - 15:00
You only need to select 1 of these dates/times above to tryout.

Preparing for Tryouts
At the tryouts, you'll be assessed on your defensive cyber capabilities and knowledge as well as your documentation, interpersonal, and communication skills. The tryout packet, available only at the tryouts, will provide more information. 

To prepare, focus on learning and reviewing: 
  • what constitutes a cyber security vulnerability
  • how to secure an operating system (i.e. a 'box') that is vulnerable
  • how to manually find indicators of compromise, after an assumed breach
You do not need to know a suite of tools for tryouts. You will not be given tools, aside from Nmap.

Tryout FAQs
What OS do I need to know? 
  • You'll be asked in the application which type of OS you're most comfortable with and you'll be assigned a similar box to that for tryouts. So, if you indicate you're most familiar with Windows, you'll get a Windows server at tryouts. Linux people get a Linux server. You will only have to manage 1 machine.
Will there be a technical interview? No
Will I be asked coding questions? No
Will I need to know offensive security? No
Will I need to bring my own laptop? YES
Will I be able to keep the tryout packet? No

Tryout Preparation Resources
  1. The lecture recordings available from Fall semesters on the Active Cyber Defense course website [Meetings 3, 4, (5,6) 7 and 8. Especially Meeting: https://redirect.cs.umbc.edu/courses/undergraduate/CMSC491activeCyber/indexFall23.html 
  2. If you do better in a live learning environment, where you can ask questions, Active Cyber meets Wednesdays from 7ish to 9ish PM in ISLB 116B and virtually through WebEx: https://umbc.webex.com/umbc/j.php?MTID=m29d03f68bcb8a87c426cb4b0a8e69bac
  3. TryHackMe | Cyber Security Training, Path- Blue Team: https://tryhackme.com/path/outline/blueteam [Defensive Security has a lot of different areas and this will give you a broad knowledge base. Focus on Sections 1, 3, 5 & 6]
  4. The next two CyberDawgs club meetings on Linux for Blue Teams and PowerShell for Cybersecurity, being led by two of our current Team members  

UPDATE: 11/16 [Tryout Clarification #1]
Below is some important information to consider for tryouts:
  1. Recall that you will be assigned a virtual machine for tryouts. Which one you get is determined by your answer to the question "With which operating system are you most experienced?" When considering your answer to that question, consider that it is asking about experience in system administration, digital forensics, incident response, and general usage. This is a cybersecurity team tryouts. Keep that in mind.
  2. The virtual machine you will be assigned for tryouts doesn't use your local resources. Therefore, the specs of your personal laptop hardly matter. Bring and use whatever laptop with which you feel most comfortable
  3. The only requirement of the laptop you bring to tryouts is that is has RDP (only if you choose Windows), SSH (only if you choose Linux), and a WIFI adapter, because you need to be able to get on the tryout network via WIFI.
  4. It would probably help you to have Discord installed, though
  5. If your laptop has a Windows 'home' operating system, you might not natively have RDP. If you choose Windows as your tryout box, you will need RDP. Try this: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/microsoft-remote-desktop/9WZDNCRFJ3PS?hl=en-gb&gl=GB

Final Thoughts
As always, my door remains open and I welcome hearing from you. If you have questions, comments, concerns or just want to check in, please feel free to send me a message. [@_nuevo on Discord]

Kei-Won-Tia, 
CyberDawgs Vice President, Team Captain

Posted: November 15, 2023, 2:53 PM

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