What is the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge?

On 4-5 November, 2022, Columbia SIPA will host its seventh annual Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge in-person. Started by the Atlantic Council in 2013, Cyber 9/12 is a one-of-a-kind competition designed to provide students across academic disciplines with a deeper understanding of the policy challenges associated with cyber crisis and conflict.

The competition gives students a unique opportunity to interact with expert mentors and high-level cyber professionals while developing valuable skills in policy analysis and presentation. The students have to tackle challenges like assessing the impact of a major cyber attack, thinking through attribution and national responsibility, and response options for all branches of the government as well as the private sector.

The event in November will feature two days of competition, keynote speakers, technology demonstrations, and career networking opportunities.

Registration

A maximum of 28 teams will be selected on a rolling basis to participate in the competition. In the event that more than 28 teams register for the competition, organizers reserve the right to evaluate individual teams based on:

• Teams' submitted application, including their response to open questions around cyber issues;

• A desire to maintain a strong competition by promoting diverse backgrounds, professional experiences, and educational institutions;
• The number of teams participating from an individual school and institution
  • - Teams competing from a single school within one academic institution are capped at 3 teams
    • - Teams composed from different schools within one academic institution do not fall into this restriction
    • - For example: Only 3 Columbia SIPA teams or 3 Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) teams will be allowed, but cross-institute teams SIPA-SEAS or SIPA-HKS teams will still be allowed to compete.

Selected teams will be asked to complete a supplementary information packet (dietary restrictions, scheduling, vaccination status, etc) in advance of the competition. Selected teams will receive Intelligence Report I in advance of the competition to begin their preparations.

Registration opens August 23, 2022 (9:00 AM ET) and closes September 28, 2022 (11:55 PM ET)

Register Here

For general information, please see the FAQs page. Alternatively, you may contact us.

Event Timeline

Below is a guide to the event, including some specific dates.

In addition to student presentations, we will host panels, executive keynote speakers, and career/recruitment efforts during the competition.