Rock Valley College

12/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/16/2024 17:18

Rock Valley College Achieves National Cybersecurity Excellence in NCL Competition

Rock Valley College Achieves National Cybersecurity Excellence in NCL Competition

  • Students
  • 12/16/2024

Rock Valley College has solidified its place among the elite cybersecurity programs in the nation with an exceptional performance in the Fall 2024 National Cyber League (NCL) competition.

Photo: Standing row, left to right-Robert Samoraj, Ryan Fultz, Corey Hirsch. First row, left to right-Dylan Gerig-Carlson, Daisy Hardwick, Kristina Krist

The college ranked 2nd in the Central Region and 12th nationally out of 550 colleges and universities in the NCL Power Rankings, marking a historic achievement for the institution and its Computer & Information Systems (CIS) students. This success comes on the heels of RVC's impressive showing in the Fall 2024 NCL team competition, where the college finished 20th out of 4,898 teams. These accomplishments underscore RVC's growing reputation as a powerhouse in cybersecurity education, a field that continues to see rising demand for skilled professionals.

The National Cyber League, powered by Cyber Skyline, is a virtual, learning-centered cybersecurity competition designed to bridge the gap from curriculum to careers. This competition is held once each semester and is open to college and high school students

"I was able to discover aspects and skills which I was not aware of before. The team worked amazingly hard throughout the season to get us closer to success and higher in the rankings," said RVC CIS student Daisy Hardwick. "Since participating, my passion for cybersecurity and the program has increased tremendously and made me want to further my education and career in the field."

RVC's achievements in the Fall 2024 season build on a year of consistent success. In the Spring 2024 NCL competition, RVC placed 49th overall and 15th in the Central Region. The college's progress reflects a combination of rigorous academic preparation, strong faculty support, and a commitment to hands-on learning that prepares students for real-world cybersecurity challenges.

The team's success was bolstered by several standout individual performances. Ryan Fultz led the charge, placing 9th out of 8,505 competitors nationwide-a monumental feat that highlights his expertise and preparation. Other team members also delivered impressive results, with Daisy Hardwick placing 177th, Corey Hirsch ranking 281st, Robert Samoraj at 966th, Kristina Krist at 1,397th, and Dylan Gerig-Carlson at 1,439th.

The Computer and Information Systems program at RVC offers students the latest knowledge and skills to become a tech-savvy professional combining creativity, technical expertise, and the capacity for a fulfilling career. To learn more about our CIS program, visit the Computer and Information Systems program page.

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