The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Cybersecurity Club concluded its 2023-2024 season with commendable performances in several cybersecurity competitions, including a notable Capture the Flag tournament organized by the Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory (MAGIC), Inc. At this spring event, CSM's teams, the Vhawks and the Velocity Hawks, achieved 15th and 22nd places respectively, competing against 35 other teams.
CSM Cybersecurity Club students from left include Phuong Nguyen, John Castello, Club Sponsor and Professor Pamela Mitchell, Imani Carroll, front James Zito and Oluwatomisin Aina on the Zoom screen.
According to Pamela Mitchell, a Cybersecurity Professor at CSM and the club's sponsor, these contests are more than just competitions. "The MAGIC competition is a fun way to practice the skills students are learning in the classroom in a collaborative way," Mitchell stated. She emphasized the practical aspect of these events, where students apply what they've learned in real-world scenarios, engaging in tasks ranging from code analysis to network security.
Capture the Flag contests challenge participants to secure and exploit computer systems. Teams must navigate through digital terrains to capture 'flags', which are hidden pieces of data. These flags require participants to solve complex problems that test their critical thinking and technical skills.
"The competitions we join help our students develop their skills in a real-world environment, teaching them the tools they need," Mitchell explained. She highlighted the club's active participation in several other competitions throughout the year, such as the National Cyber League, the Cyber Maryland Challenge, and the MidAtlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (MCCDC).
Each competition has its unique format and focus, providing CSM students with diverse experiences. For instance, the MCCDC resembles a hackathon, where teams work on real-world cybersecurity problems and present their solutions to judges.
Club president Oluwatomisin "Tomi" Aina reflected on the learning opportunities these competitions provide. "We learned a lesson about the importance of communication," Aina said, underscoring the continuous improvement and the reflective approach the club takes after each event.
The club's roster includes a mix of current students and alumni, thanks to sponsorship from the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association International (AFCEA). Alumni continue to contribute, allowing them to maintain and expand their skills and professional networks.
CSM's cybersecurity program and club activities not only prepare students for competitive environments but also for future careers in cybersecurity, a field of growing importance in our digital world. The team meets weekly, with sessions held both on Zoom and at the La Plata campus. Those interested in joining can contact Pamela Mitchell at pamitchell1@csmd.edu, or visit the CSM cybersecurity program page for more details.
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