On February 18, 2023, the IUP Cyber Security Club had two teams, led by recipients of the DoD Cyber Scholarship, compete in the Northeast Regional NCAE Cyber Games, a competition for NCAE-C designated universities designed to increase participant interest in the field of cybersecurity. The competition provides students with an opportunity to test their cybersecurity knowledge and skills, and gain hands-on networking experience in a live-fire situation.

IUP’s teams were led by Cyber Security Club President Malcolm Holden and Vice President Eathan Buhl. Holden’s team consisted of Vincent Emery, Jordan Fischer (Cyber Security Club treasurer), Noah Gratton, Nick Keuch, Noah Oberholtzer, and Ben Reno. Buhl’s team consisted of Matthew Conrad, Sam Rocco, Bryce Salyers, Meghan Schilpp (Cyber Security Club secretary), Cherokee Schrecengost, James Searer, and Noah Suley. Holden’s team placed fifth overall and Buhl’s team placed tenth.

Waleed Farag, director of IUP’s Institute for Cybersecurity and Cyber Security Club advisor, said, “We had 17 students participating this year, which is the largest number of students ever involved in such an exercise. We have been participating in these competitions for the past five years, and activities like these are a great motivator to our students. I am proud of both teams for doing their best, and it is a recognized achievement that one of IUP’s teams placed fifth while competing with major US universities in the NE region.”

Farag encourages all of his students to consider participating in the next event. Visit the NCAE Cyber Games website to learn more.

Students who competed in the NCAE Cyber GamesStudents who competed in the NCAE Cyber Games