http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070705/APC0101/707050556/1979 By Ed Lowe Post-Crescent staff writer July 5, 2007 A new West Point graduate from Grand Chute is part of the first team to build a computer network the National Security Agency didn't crack during a weeklong hacker attack. James D. Pleuss, 23, a 2002 graduate of Appleton West High School, served on the West Point cyber team that won the 2007 Cyber Defense Exercise. "The NSA has a red cell team that attacks the networks, tries to hack into the systems." Pleuss told The Post-Crescent. "It was our job to use whatever tactics we could to keep them out and make sure the network stayed secure." The West Point team's network outlasted those of undergraduate cadets and midshipmen representing the four other U.S. service academies, and a pair of teams from post-graduate service schools. "These are the people who check the White House (systems) for security," Pleuss said. "They say the White House (information network) is the only one they have much trouble getting into using the tactics they have today." NSA spokesman Tony Sager said the teams in this year's competition were more accomplished than those tested a year ago. "We see it as a good sign that we are challenged too," Sager said in a NSA release. Pleuss, the son of Jim and Mary Pleuss, will complete seven months of training in Georgia before assignment at a post in Hawaii. _____________________________________________________ Attend Black Hat USA, July 28-August 2 in Las Vegas, the world's premier technical event for ICT security experts. Featuring 30 hands-on training courses and 90 Briefings presentations with lots of new content and new tools. Network with 4,000 delegates from 70 nations. Visit product displays by 30 top sponsors in a relaxed setting. Rates increase on June 1 so register today. http://www.blackhat.com
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