1. 2017 Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition
The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC) Atlantic, the Navy’s East Coast Engineering Center, in collaboration with the South Carolina Lowcountry Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association (AFCEA) facilitates a cyber defense competition each spring. The goal is to energize high schools, colleges, and their students to focus on the development of technical skills in the area of networking and cyber security that will help in preparations for exciting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
High Schools – Saturday, 8 April
Universities/Colleges – Sunday, 9 April
Pro Teams – Monday, 10 April
The Collegiate competition is open to all schools in South Carolina. Qualification is based on:
School must place in the previous year’s PCDC top three, or
For the other five places, the school must compete against other South Carolina schools in the Southeast Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (SECCDC) qualifier held on 18 and 25 February 2017
Letter of intent due to SECCDC by 31 Jan.
See for details
Eight teams of six members each operate a live network and protect it from real hackers. Students have 30 minutes of access to the network before the hackers attack.
Students need expertise in the areas of networking, risk mitigation, operating systems, etc.
Creates awareness of the Information Assurance/Cyber Security profession
Fosters teamwork and opportunities for leadership and crisis management
Creates an opportunity for SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic and its Corporate Partners to see South Carolina’s finest STEM students in action
PCDC is NOT a hacking or capture the flag competition
1st place: $500 each, National Guard Backpack, and Challenge Cup for one year.
Top 3 places: Medals, team trophy.
All qualifying teams receive: Free T-shirts, challenge coins, lunch, snacks, goody bags
One student can be selected to be imbedded on a Pro Day team for Monday, 10 April
MVP: $1,000
Palmetto Digital Forensics Competition
Saturday, 8 April 2017, Valuable Prizes
Separate divisions for High School Students and Collegiate/Pros
Solve as many forensic scenarios as possible within the allotted time and accumulate the most points possible
To visit the PCDC website, go to To see a YouTube video on PCDC, visit or search YouTube for Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition.
Point of Contact: * Jeff Sweeney, SSC Atlantic, PCDC Director, or
Kenneth R. Dilks, AFCEA PCDC Committee Chair,