LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Kevin Stilwell upon the occasion
of capturing first place in the New York Cyber Aces Championship on May
17, 2014

WHEREAS, As Americans grow increasingly reliant on modern technology, it
is imperative that residents and businesses of this great Empire State,
as well as critical infrastructure, be adequately protected against
threats to our cyber security; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who would devote them-
selves to the challenging task of preserving the safety, integrity, and
reliability of the Internet and cyber systems; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, this Legislative Body is justly
proud to congratulate Kevin Stilwell upon the occasion of capturing
first place in the New York Cyber Aces Championship; the online competi-
tion took place on Saturday, May 17, 2014; and
WHEREAS, The New York Cyber Aces Competition is a virtual contest held
to help identify talented individuals who are skilled to work within the
state's cyber industry; it was sponsored by the New York State Cyber
Security Advisory Board, in conjunction with Cyber Aces, a national
nonprofit organization that works to provide a pathway for individuals
seeking cyber security jobs; and
WHEREAS, Kevin Stilwell, a life-long resident of Verona, New York, won
first place in the competition that started with more than 1,000 candi-
dates, but was narrowed down to 40 people who trained from October to
December 2013; the field of 40 contenders included college students, job
seekers and high school students; and
WHEREAS, A software engineer at Exelis in Rome, New York; Kevin Stil-
well has a master's degree in cybersecurity, intelligence and forensics
from Utica College, and is a certified information systems security
professional, as well as a certified ethical hacker; and
WHEREAS, Cyber Aces competitors were challenged using NetWars, the
same hands-on simulation used by the United States military to train
officers in network warfare; and
WHEREAS, In winning the New York Cyber Aces Championship, Kevin Stil-
well earned prize money which he split with the second and third place
winners; he plans to use his winnings to take an information security
class; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Kevin Stilwell was invited to participate in a
"Panopoly" competition at the New York State Cyber Security Conference
held in Albany, New York, June 2014; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Kevin Stilwell upon the occasion of capturing first place
in the New York Cyber Aces Championship; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kevin Stilwell.