OCD Tech Hosts High Schoolers in its 2nd Annual Capture the Flag Competition

OCTOBER 31, 2017 - On Friday, October 27th, OCD Tech hosted its second annual Capture the Flag (CTF) challenge which given the time of year, was nicknamed spookHACKular. The challenge tested contestants' knowledge of cyber security with a focus on hacking, a theme that is in the news on a daily basis. The challenge did NOT teach participants how to hack, but rather how to protect people and businesses while making technology easier and safer to use.

Students from Braintree High, Blue Hills Voc Tech, Plymouth North, Quincy High and Weymouth High participated in the spookHACKular. The forty-six (46) students, their teachers, and OCD Tech staff all had fun while learning some new cybersecurity tools and challenges.

"My students had so much fun; most of them were seniors and want to come back next year", said Susan Harris, a Teacher at Plymouth North. "You all provided an opportunity for my students to gain real-world exposure to the application of what they are learning in the classroom and it really energized them and motivated them to want to learn more.n Thank you for investing in our future by exposing our students to this", Harris added "Due to the growing popularity of the event, OCD Tech has already tentatively scheduled the 3rd annual CTF Challenge for October 26th, 2018", said OCD Tech IT Audit Project Manager, Don Lander, who coordinated the event. "I really enjoy providing the opportunity to immerse students into real-world situations that drive our own staff on a daily basis. We love to support the area schools and get students excited about technology as well as make them aware of the threats that are out there," said Lander.