ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS CYBER GAMES FOR THE SPRING SERVICE-WIDE CAPTURE THE FLAG COMPETITION

MARADMINS : 098/24

R 271020Z FEB 24
MARADMIN 098/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC DCI WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS CYBER GAMES FOR THE SPRING SERVICE-WIDE CAPTURE THE FLAG COMPETITION//
POC-DC I/V. M. CROWDER/MAJ/INFORMATION PROGRAM OFFICER, DC I/703-695-9551/[email protected]//
POC-DC I/S. M. YOUNG/CWO5/CYBER WARFARE OFFICER, DC I/703-695-9551/[email protected]//
POC-DC I/A. NAGY/CTR/MCCA RESOURCE ANALYST, DC I/703-784-5985 [email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMAKS/1. Purpose. This message announces the Spring Service-wide Cyber Capture the Flag (CTF) competition taking place on 29 April 2024 to 14 May 2024. The Spring event will be a Cyber Blue Zone CTF, focused specifically on Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO). The Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I), in partnership with the Naval Air Warfare Center, the National Cyber Range under the Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center, will organize a remote CTF event with SECRET access provided through the Joint Information Operations Range (JIOR). The CTF competition provides a venue where Marine cyberspace operators can compete in a tailored scenario to complete cyber challenges of varying difficulty, referred to as cyber flags.
2. Background. On 1 March 2018, the Marine Corps established an occupational field dedicated to the professionalization of cyberspace operators. In January 2020, discussions began for developing a setting in which Marine cyberspace operators could compete, share expertise, and hone tactics, techniques, and procedures to increase cyberspace effectiveness and readiness across the Fleet Marine Force and Cyberspace Mission Force on a secure network. To address this challenge, DC I began hosting the Marine Corps Cyber Games and participating in CTF competitions. These events have provided a venue to foster camaraderie among the community and opportunities for Marines to display their skills in a competitive environment. Additionally, as has been the case in past CTFs, highly qualified cyber volunteers from the Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary will be on standby to train, educate, assist, and mentor Marines as they compete. The intent of the Marine Corps Cyber Games is ultimately to accelerate excellence through competition.
3. Action Items. The intended participants for this event are cyberspace operators from the DCO-Internal Defensive Measures Companies and the Cyber Mission Force. To find an open session, please go to the event registration site located at: https:(slash)(slash)intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/te/CyberBlueZone/ and register your team for this event. If you are unable to access the link, please email the following information to: Maj Victoria Crowder at [email protected], Dr. Wells at [email protected], and Mr. Art Nagy at [email protected]):
Session:
Team name:
Service/Agency:
Command/Organization:
Participation Location:
JIOR/JMN Designator:
Primary Point of Contact (POC):
Email:
Phone:
Alternate POC:
Email:
Phone:
3.a. The Event Owner will permit up to six teams to participate in each session of this event. Due to range constraints, the competition will split into four two-day sessions, for a total of 24 teams. Finalized team participant rosters are due prior to the associated session communications check. Recommended team size is between 6-10 members (limit of 10 per team) with defensive/offensive cyberspace skillsets.
3.b. Command Representation. This CTF is open to all services to enhance competition.
3.c. Timeline. The timeline for the CTF competition is in paragraph 3.c.2. through 3.c.6. Dates are subject to change and will be posted on the registration portal.
3.c.1. Information Maneuver Division will submit the initial Interservice Support Agreement (ISA) with past participating remote locations by the 7th of March. Any new or unidentified ranges must be submitted no later than 21 March 2024 so that an addendum to the ISA can be submitted. (*Participation in CTF is subject to ISA approval.)
3.c.2. 22 April 2024: CTF registration deadline.
3.c.3. During Comms Check there will be a CTF Intelligence drop for participants.
3.c.4. Session Dates:
Session #1 Dates: 29-30 April (Comms check 26 April)
Session #2 Dates: 2-3 May (Comms check 1 May)
Session #3 Dates: 7-8 May (Comms check 6 May)
Session #4 Dates: 13-14 May (Comms check 10 May)
3.c.5. All participating teams are required to provide an After-Action Report no later than two weeks after session completion.
3.c.6. Awards will be mailed to the winning team.
4. Administration and logistics. Units are responsible for the travel costs of their representatives if required.
5. Direct all questions to MARADMIN POCs.
6. Release authorized by LtGen Matthew G. Glavy, Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.//