Discover your hidden talent and start your cybersecurity learning journey with CyberStart America
A free national program for high school students to master cybersecurity as a gateway to the industry and to up their digital skills.
Try for free
No textbooks or lectures, just fun, online challenges that allow you to experience real-world cybersecurity tasks.
Build industry recognized skills
Learn a huge range of cybersecurity topics and prove your skills in code breaking, ethical hacking and password cracking.
Qualify for scholarships
High-scoring players will qualify for the National Cyber Scholarship Competition, a 2-day challenge in Spring.
CyberStart America in the news
Recent media coverage of CyberStart America. View more.
Learn as you play with CyberStart Game
Discover how exciting and meaningful work in cybersecurity and computer science can be with our addictive and fun game. Have a go at real-world cyber attacks, learning how cybersecurity experts play a vital role in protecting our hospitals, banks, army, and police services!
Over 200 challenges
Play challenges across different cybersecurity disciplines to experience the breadth of the profession. Our four unique bases will cover topics such as cryptography, social engineering, steganography and Python programming.
Become a cyber agent
Stay one step ahead of cyber-criminal gangs by becoming a cyber agent at the virtual Cyber Protection Agency. Learn how to build your own security tools, analyze the aftermath of a cyber attack and unpick their digital trails.
Learning support
Free access to our exclusive “Field Manual” that provides extra support when completing the challenges. Use our write-ups, video demos and quizzes to enhance your knowledge further.
Agent profile and badges
As you progress through the challenges, collect and add badges to your agent profile. Share with friends and track your success as you move from beginner to cyber whizz.
What students are saying
One of the new things that I learned from this game is the numerous different things you can do with Python. I definitely want to continue learning this in the future.
I just knew some basic of cybersecurity like codes and ciphers, but I have definitely learned new things through CyberStart, and expanded my knowledge on the topics I had experience with.
I had limited exposure to Cyber Security before this game. I learned many basic commands and security measures, but this game has definitely broadened my viewpoint. I think this is definitely a field I want to keep pursuing and learn more about.
Qualify for life-changing opportunities and scholarships
If gaining hands-on experience of cybersecurity weren't enough, CyberStart America provides you the pathway to qualify for the National Cyber Scholarships program where more than 800 scholarships will be awarded.
Demonstrate the qualities
Prove you have the tenacity, curiosity, and ability to complete the challenges in CyberStart Game and automatically qualify for the National Cyber Scholarship competition.
Compete for scholarships
Take part in a two-day challenge to win a free scholarship that will enable you to continue your cybersecurity studies at any regionally accredited college.
Join the cybersecurity workforce
Help the US maintain its technological lead in cybersecurity by joining the industry as a highly-qualified professional.
Prizes available through the National Cyber Scholarship Competition include:
- $2 million of college scholarships
- Access to a cybersecurity training course worth $3000
- Recognition badges that can be used on college and job applications
Is CyberStart America for me?
Do you like gaming or puzzles? Do you excel at games like Fortnite, or enjoy RPGs like Among Us or D&D? Do you crave creativity through games like Minecraft, or love the idea of coding your own Roblox games in a programming language? CyberStart America could be just the at-home problem-solving challenge you’re seeking...
Love puzzles and logic challenges?
If you’ve never thought of yourself as a pro gamer, but you enjoy games like chess, Tetris or Mahjong, love puzzle games like sudoku or crosswords, or even have a secret talent for solving a Rubix cube, then give this free educational game a try. Your brain probably works in just the right way to learn ethical hacking, excel at Python programming and pick up the basics of cybersecurity with no coding lessons needed! No textbooks in sight, just a fun, free, online learning game.
Learn to hack and prevent a cyber attack
It’s a mind sport, a spy game, an escape room, a series of online puzzles and a coding challenge, all rolled into one. Find game hacks, become a cyber detective and quickly develop basic knowledge of cybersecurity.
Featured school
With over 170 students registered for CyberStart America in 2020-21, teachers Brad Cornwell and Amy Pezzoni at James C. Enochs High were high on our leaderboard in getting their students involved! Brad says:
Support
If you require any help or further information email support@cyberstartamerica.org and we'll be happy to help.
FAQs
Can't find what you are looking for? We may have the answers to some of your questions over in our knowledge base.