Team from Salem High School takes first place in Governor’s High School Cyber Challenge
NOVI, Mich. -- The 2023 Michigan Cyber Summit drew more than 900 cybersecurity experts today to discuss solutions to protect Michigan businesses and individuals from ever-changing cyber threats. The event is held each October in coordination with Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
"Every year, the Michigan Cyber Summit serves as an important venue for discussions and collaboration on how we can foster a safe, secure digital environment," said Laura Clark, Michigan chief information officer. "The variety of speakers and sessions at today's event allowed over 900 attendees to tailor their summit experience to their interests and needs. Michigan has a reputation as a national leader in cybersecurity, and it is events like this that help us do just that."
The summit, in its 12th year, featured cybersecurity speakers, experts, and dignitaries from across the country, including Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II; Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) Director Michelle Lange; State of Michigan Chief Information Officer (CIO) Laura Clark; State of Michigan Chief Security Officer Jayson Cavendish; Federal Chief Information Security Officer and Deputy National Cyber Director for Federal Cybersecurity Chris DeRusha; National Association of State Chief Information Officers Deputy Executive Director Meredith Ward; State of Ohio Chief Information Officer Katrina Flory; State of Wisconsin Chief Information Officer Trina Zanow; Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency Supervisory Cybersecurity Advisor for Michigan and Ohio Kelly Goldblatt; and dozens of other IT and cyber experts.
The Michigan Cyber Summit also continued the tradition of highlighting the skills needed to fill the growing demand for cybersecurity talent by announcing the winners of the eighth annual Governor's High School Cyber Challenge. A total of 429 students from 85 schools across Michigan participated in the challenge.
The top nine teams competed in the final round of the competition today at the summit. The final-round teams hailed from the following schools:
- Canton High School, Canton
- Farmington High School, Farmington
- Gull Lake High School, Richland
- Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center, Kalamazoo
- Lapeer County Education & Technology Center, Attica
- Muskegon Area Career Tech Center, Muskegon
- Newaygo County Career-Tech Center, Fremont
- Salem High School, Canton
- Westwood High School, Ishpeming
Taking first place in the competition was Neil Kuma, Jayden Sarveshkumar, Jiwon Lim from Canton’s Salem High School, with coach Scott Obsniuk.
Second place went to David Shen, Jason Shaye, and Aryaman Mishra from Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center, with coach Diane Schear.
Taking third place were Lane Nelson, Noah Pell, and Brian Zerlaut from Newaygo County Career-Tech Center in Fremont, with coach Jason Baldus.
The Governor's High School Cyber Challenge is facilitated by SANS Institute in partnership with the State of Michigan.
Governor's High School Cyber Challenge
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1st Place – Salem High School, CantonLeft to right: State of Michigan Chief Information Officer Laura Clark, Neil Kumar, Jayden Sarveshkumar, Jiwon Lim, and Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II |
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2nd Place – Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center, KalamazooLeft to right: State of Michigan Chief Information Officer Laura Clark, Jason Shaye, David Shen, Aryaman Mishra, Coach Diane Schear, and Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II |
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3rd Place – Newaygo County Career-Tech Center, FremontLeft to right: State of Michigan Chief Information Officer Laura Clark, Noah Pell, Brian Zerlaut, Lane Nelson, Coach Jason Baldus, and Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II |
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