
Alan Paller Memorial Scholarship Fund created by NCSF's Board of Directors
Cyber warfare is one of the biggest threats our nation faces. Could you discover your talent, advance your skills and win scholarships as a digital soldier?
Enjoy free access to CyberStart; a beginner-friendly, cybersecurity training game where you'll test your out of the box thinking with mind-stretching ethical hacking games!
Loved by students
"Everyone should try CyberStart. You just might find out that you absolutely love it - like I did! It changed every part of my life."
Building a community
Over 1700 JROTC/CAP members joined in 2020/21.
Amazing outcomes
"I was not interested in a cybersecurity job before CSA. Now I want to get a cybersecurity job in the Air Force."
01 | What is CyberStart?


The act of war using technology means we need more digital soldiers than ever before. From hospitals to banks, our nations infrastructure needs protecting from cyber attacks.
CyberStart America gives JROTC and CAP students in 9th-12th grade free access to the world-renowned CyberStart game.

"It's an absolutely amazing cyber training experience! I know so much more about cybersecurity now!"

Master offensive and defensive cyber warfare skills (like pen testing, cryptography and forensics) that are crucial in helping protect our national security.

From Intern to Chief Detective, move up the ranks at the Cyber Protection Agency while earning awesome skills, badges, and points.

Decrypt codes, uncover security breaches and investigate crime scenes as you jump into unique missions like saving a city's transport network from a series of attacks.

Skip the theory and experience real-world cyber warfare with over 200 real-life simulations and experiences.
See CyberStart in action with a tour from cybersecurity expert James Lyne
CyberStart was founded by James Lyne, a world leader in cybersecurity education. Built by an expert team of cybersecurity professionals, CyberStart gives you hands-on experience of real-world cybersecurity tasks and simulations that help you learn the skills you need to succeed!
02 | What are the achievements?
Achievements

CSA Bronze Badge
You must be registered to the CSA program and gain at least 3000 points in CyberStart to earn this award.

CSA Silver Badge
You must gain at least 50,000 points in CyberStart to earn this award.

CSA Gold Badge
You must gain at least 100,000 points in CyberStart to earn this award.
03 | How does it work?
Discover

Lace up your boots and jump straight into defending the online world against cyber criminal gangs. And when you're stuck, use the step-by-step walkthroughs and guides to help.
Advance

Develop leadership, citizenship, resilience and out the box thinking skills with over 200 cybersecurity challenges and puzzles.
Win

Play CyberStart America and you could earn an exclusive JROTC scholarship for further cybersecurity training worth $3000!
Featured CyberStart players
Join the CyberStart community and you'll be eligible to join our JROTC group. Meet, play and get help from other players, be the first to hear of exclusive content and competitions, and even get featured in the CyberStart blog.