Home to the nation's top federal agencies engaged in cybersecurity – and a vibrant cyber sector that includes entrepreneurs as well as established entities – Maryland is a cybersecurity powerhouse. Today's cyber warriors find a variety of opportunities in our state, and throughout Maryland's educational system, students are primed to fill tomorrow's cyber sector jobs.

At Loyola Blakefield in Towson, Md., and Poolesville High School in Poolesville, Md., teams of students are preparing to compete in the CyberPatriot National Finals, being held at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore from April 3 - April 5. The CyberPatriot competition, which began in October, attracted more than 4,000 teams and 21,000 students. Contenders progressed through progressive elimination rounds until just 28 teams remained – 12 teams in the Open Division, 13 in the All-Service Division, and three in the Middle School Division. Loyola Blakefield and Poolesville will face off against teams from California, Colorado, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia in the Open Division. The competition is tough but for teams reaching the finals, the rewards are great – they gain national recognition and earn scholarship funds.

Loyola Blakefield and Poolesville are back in the finals for the second straight year. Poolesville High School will field a team including one sophomore and five seniors; Loyola Blakefield will be represented by one freshman and five juniors. Both schools offer programs dedicated to training students in cybersecurity. At Loyola Blakefield, a Jesuit institution, the cyber science program is combines cyber technology with human behavior as well as ethics and morality pertinent to digital communication. Poolesville High School's Science, Math, Computer Science House integrates the sciences with computer science, engineering, and mathematics, focusing on problem-solving skills and research. While the first two years of the program – 9th and 10th grade – center on interdisciplinary projects, juniors and seniors take such specialized courses as artificial intelligence, computer graphics, cyber forensics, and networking.

CyberPatriot was created in 2009 by the Air Force Association and is presented by the Northrop Grumman Foundation. It's designed to encourage students to pursue education and careers in cybersecurity and other STEM fields. As for returning the finals competition to Baltimore, CyberPatriot's National Commissioner is enthusiastic. "The Air Force Association CyberPatriot program is thrilled to host its National Finals Competition in Maryland," he said. "The outstanding hospitality, robust high-tech cyber sector, and the fact that many of our supporters and sponsors operate in the Old Line State create an ideal environment for the National Youth Cyber Education Program's annual capstone event."

The CyberPatriot finals competition is open to the public. To cheer on Maryland's up-and-coming cyber warriors, stop by the Hyatt Regency Baltimore today and tomorrow. The main competition occurs on Tuesday, April 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Click here to register. There is no charge for admission.