Congratulations to the University of Central Florida team – the 2024 National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (NCCDC) Champions! To learn more or register for the next season, visit NationalCCDC.org.
The mission of the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) system is to provide institutions with an information assurance or computer security curriculum a controlled, competitive environment to assess their student’s depth of understanding and operational competency in managing the challenges inherent in protecting a corporate network infrastructure and business information systems.
Started by the CIAS in 2005
Protect Real-World Networks
The CCDC is unique because it focuses on the operational aspect of managing and protecting an existing network infrastructure. Other exercises examine the abilities of a group of students to design, configure, and protect a network over the course of an entire semester; however, this competition is focused on the more operational task of assuming administrative and protective duties for an existing “commercial” network.
For Full-Time Students
CCDC is comprised of teams from any interested two- or four-year college or university and each consists of up to 8 students with no more than 2 graduate students on any team. Each competitor must be a full-time student. Only one team per institution is permitted each season.
Player stats
A Rapidly Growing Event
Schools
Year
Participants
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
2017
2019
2015
FAQ
Get to know the competition
Competitors are given an operational network they must secure, operate and defend.
Teams are limited in their external hardware, software and Internet access to ensure a level playing field.
It varies by competition season (see player stats above). There is no minimum or maximum number of schools or participants that can compete.
A team consists of up to 8 students with no more than 2 graduate students on any team. Each competitor must be a full-time student.
The NCCDC is a multi-day competition with 8 or more hours of competition time each day.
Teams designate a Team Captain for the duration of the competition to act as liaison between the competition staff and the teams before and during the competition.
Teams must be sponsored by a coach in a department faculty or staffed position at the competing university.
Only one team per institution is permitted each CCDC season.
