Meet Christopher Haller, Offensive Security Practice Lead at Strong Crypto Innovations and GSE #329. Chris brings incredible knowledge, industry-leading certifications, and over a decade of experience in Penetration Testing, Incident Response, and Threat Intelligence. During his tenure with the Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command, he spearheaded incident management for attacks on classified and unclassified global Navy networks, resulting in over a dozen CVEs. But his impact in the cybersecurity field goes far beyond his professional achievements.
As the Red vs. Blue coach for the US Cyber Team, Chris is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of cyber professionals. The US Cyber Games and US Cyber Team program blends cyber competitions with eSports and traditional athletics. The program aims to attract diverse talent and bridge the gaps between cybersecurity skills and applicable workforce skills. Learn more about the innovative US Cyber Games program, Chris’s important role in it, and how his dedication is shaping the future cybersecurity talent pipeline through mentorship and leadership.
About the US Cyber Games and US Cyber Team
The US Cyber Games and US Cyber Team are shaking up the cybersecurity world by combining competitive gaming and athletic-style training. The program prepares the next generation of cyber defenders with technical skills and real-world experience while promoting greater diversity and inclusivity in the field. Katzcy, a social impact company dedicated to fostering growth in the tech and cybersecurity community, created the US Cyber Games in collaboration with the NICE program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Their mission is to develop an inclusive cybersecurity workforce, prepared to tackle the challenges of the future.
The journey begins with the US Cyber Open CTF, a free event open to anyone and everyone who wants to test their skills. The top performers who meet qualifying criteria as US citizens under the age of 25 are then invited to participate in the US Cyber Combine, a virtual summer event where coaches evaluate their skills and potential. In the fall, the best of the best are drafted to the US Cyber Team, kicking off a season of intense training and global competitions. This rigorous process ensures that participants are not only competition-ready but also well-prepared for successful cybersecurity careers.
Throughout the year, the US Cyber Team competes in high-stakes events worldwide. The Season III team is composed of 30 top-tier athletes who are currently training in cryptography, web security, reverse engineering, binary exploitation, forensics, and attack/defense. They will be competing in the European CyberSecurity Challenge in Turin, Italy, and the International Cybersecurity Challenge Championship in Santiago, Chile, later this year. Season IV is already in full swing as well, with Cyber Rush Week and the US Cyber Combine events leading up to the much-anticipated US Cyber Team Draft Day. These competitions test technical skills, leadership, teamwork, and strategic thinking, creating a dynamic and exciting team experience.
About Coach Chris
Chris Haller started working with the US Cyber Team as the Red vs. Blue Coach in Season III and is returning this year for Season IV. His role as a coach has been both fun and fulfilling. "It’s incredibly rewarding to help mentor and guide these talented athletes," Chris shares. The Red vs. Blue format is a grueling, hands-on approach to cybersecurity training, where teams engage in offense and defense simultaneously. This setup mirrors real-world cybersecurity scenarios, making it a dynamic and practical learning experience.
In Red vs. Blue competitions, the red team acts as the attackers, probing for vulnerabilities in the opposing team’s defenses. Meanwhile, the blue team defends the system, ensuring that all entry points are secure and developing strategies to detect and respond to attacks. This dual-role format requires participants to think strategically and adapt quickly, testing their applicable cybersecurity skills.
Chris dedicates several hours each week to working with the athletes, especially as they gear up for major competitions like the European Cyber Security Challenge and the International Cybersecurity Challenge Championship. His proudest moments come from witnessing the growth and improvement of his athletes. "Seeing the progress they've made and knowing that our training has helped them become more effective is truly fulfilling," he says. The commitment from volunteers like Chris and the passion they bring to the program highlights the community’s dedication to developing the next generation of cybersecurity talent.
Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity
The US Cyber Games and US Cyber Team are on a remarkable upward trajectory. The US Cyber Open qualifying event saw around 770 participants in Season I and skyrocketed to over 3,100 participants by Season IV in May 2024. Season IV also introduced the first-ever US Women's Cyber Team, which will compete at the Kunoichi Cyber Games in Tokyo later this year. This trailblazing team is part of a wider initiative to develop more female coaches and mentors to promote women's involvement in cybersecurity. The Pipeline Program further supports promising athletes who need a bit more training and preparation for future seasons.
At the heart of this success are the volunteer coaches and mentors who dedicate countless hours to cultivating these athletes. Their passion and commitment are what make the US Cyber Games truly special. As Brad Wolfenden, Director of Cyber Sports with Katzcy, says, "From the bottom of my heart, we could not do what we do without the volunteer coaches and mentors. They provide so much insight and so much knowledge and really drive the incredible culture we’ve seen grow within our program. They’re spending time in their evenings and weekends to help this program get better so our athletes have better opportunities in the future.” This spirit of giving back and building a stronger community is what drives the program forward, shaping the future of cybersecurity with every training session and competition.
To learn more about the US Cyber Games and how to get involved visit: https://www.uscybergames.com/
To connect with Strong Crypto Innovations and learn more about their cybersecurity solutions visit: https://www.strongcrypto.com/contact-security-experts/
