WSU CyberCougs place first at national competition

A team of Washington State University computer science students recently earned first place in the 2024 VICEROY National Cyber Competition called Spectral Cloak.

Drawing students from across the U.S., the competition dares students to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges. Students are given a mission and, through their cyber-operation skills, must solve it. The VICEROY program, which stands for Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Employ, is a Department of Defense-funded program designed to train students in cyber defense, operations, and research. The goal of this year's competition was to hack and deny an enemy's intelligence sources, such as its radar, camera and observers, in order to allow a friendly convoy to pass through an area.

"Our preparation pre-competition and our performance during our operation execution window is what got us first place. We won because we controlled the most computers, gained the most information, and, overall, performed the best during the simulated operation," said Adam Caudle, a computer science major and the outreach officer for the WSU Cyber Cougs team.

The participating students are part of WSU's CySER (Cybersecurity Education and Research) Institute, which came about as a result of an initial $1.5 million award from the VICEROY Program in 2021. The program established a cyberoperations research and teaching center at WSU, one of 13 such programs in the US. The program trains ROTC and DOD-skilled civilian workers in computer science and other majors in cyber basics, operations, or defense, offering bachelor's degrees as well as specialized certificates. Participating students receive training that integrates cybersecurity research and education with professional skills in teamwork, communication, leadership, and lifelong learning. The CyberCougs club gives students the opportunity to meet and learn about cybersecurity topics. Students then put their knowledge to the test by participating in competitions online and regionally.

"Participating in these competitions has definitely prepared me for the future in a multitude of ways," said Alexander Hagood, the team's vice-president. "I've become a better leader on a large scale by organizing the club level participation and on a smaller scale within my own team by learning to be more confident and working alongside others to complete the tasks at hand."

Hagood encouraged students in computer science, electrical engineering, or cybersecurity to get involved with the club and with the CySER program.

"Winning this competition through our club represents a path in my life I never really imagined that I would- or could have been going down," he said. "It has led to some of the most rewarding, interesting and satisfying experiences of my life, and I've met many amazing people in the Cougar community and in industry from it."

Assefaw Gebremedhin, associate professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the group's advisor, said the team members have consistently excelled in their academics, cyber skills, teamwork, and leadership.

"They have represented the national VICEROY program and WSU in an exemplary fashion on numerous occasions, including their successful participation in VICEROY internships and annual symposia," he said. "It is wonderful to see them now showcase their advanced cyber operations skills and teamwork via the Spectral Cloak competition."

WSU CyberCougs place first at national competition

A team of Washington State University computer science students recently earned first place in the 2024 VICEROY National Cyber Competition called Spectral Cloak.

Drawing students from across the U.S., the competition dares students to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges. Students are given a mission and, through their cyber-operation skills, must solve it. The VICEROY program, which stands for Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Employ, is a Department of Defense-funded program designed to train students in cyber defense, operations, and research. The goal of this year's competition was to hack and deny an enemy's intelligence sources, such as its radar, camera and observers, in order to allow a friendly convoy to pass through an area.

"Our preparation pre-competition and our performance during our operation execution window is what got us first place. We won because we controlled the most computers, gained the most information, and, overall, performed the best during the simulated operation," said Adam Caudle, a computer science major and the outreach officer for the WSU Cyber Cougs team.

The participating students are part of WSU's CySER (Cybersecurity Education and Research) Institute, which came about as a result of an initial $1.5 million award from the VICEROY Program in 2021. The program established a cyberoperations research and teaching center at WSU, one of 13 such programs in the US. The program trains ROTC and DOD-skilled civilian workers in computer science and other majors in cyber basics, operations, or defense, offering bachelor's degrees as well as specialized certificates. Participating students receive training that integrates cybersecurity research and education with professional skills in teamwork, communication, leadership, and lifelong learning. The CyberCougs club gives students the opportunity to meet and learn about cybersecurity topics. Students then put their knowledge to the test by participating in competitions online and regionally.

"Participating in these competitions has definitely prepared me for the future in a multitude of ways," said Alexander Hagood, the team's vice-president. "I've become a better leader on a large scale by organizing the club level participation and on a smaller scale within my own team by learning to be more confident and working alongside others to complete the tasks at hand."

Hagood encouraged students in computer science, electrical engineering, or cybersecurity to get involved with the club and with the CySER program.

"Winning this competition through our club represents a path in my life I never really imagined that I would- or could have been going down," he said. "It has led to some of the most rewarding, interesting and satisfying experiences of my life, and I've met many amazing people in the Cougar community and in industry from it."

Assefaw Gebremedhin, associate professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the group's advisor, said the team members have consistently excelled in their academics, cyber skills, teamwork, and leadership.

"They have represented the national VICEROY program and WSU in an exemplary fashion on numerous occasions, including their successful participation in VICEROY internships and annual symposia," he said. "It is wonderful to see them now showcase their advanced cyber operations skills and teamwork via the Spectral Cloak competition."

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