Hello Friend - Happy Labor Day Weekend! We invite you to take some time to check out the latest edition of the NCF Web Link. As we wrap up summer and head into September, we want to keep you informed about the latest NCF news, as well as our upcoming programs and events. We hope to see you soon, and as always, we thank you for being part of our community.

#CyberChats Podcast - #CyberChats has been heating things up with an exciting summer series! In the most recent episode (a crossover with the Cyber Pulse podcast) our hosts take an in-depth look at one of the most significant education-related cyberattacks in recent history: the breach of PowerSchool. Earlier in August, UMGC students and recent grads shared about their pathways to cyber, and July featured another crossover episode, "Stolen DNA - What Really Happened at 23andMe." Tune in regularly for student-focused stories and real-world cybersecurity journeys.

Check out #CyberChats Summer Series '25

Cyber Pulse Podcast - If you haven't tuned in yet for our monthly deep dives into the world of cyber with host James Walsh - we invite you to catch up on the latest episodes today. In the August episode, James explores the Tea Dating App Leak in detail. In July, he talked with Dr. Kim Wuyts, a leading privacy engineer with over 15 years of experience in security and privacy. Don't miss these cyber-packed episodes that include candid conversations and practical tips. Check out the Cyber Pulse episodes.

Subscribe for Cyber Pulse updates.

OC BOOKLET UPDATE – Outsmart Cyberthreats (September 2025 Release)

We’re excited to announce the Fall 2025 release of our newly enhanced Outsmart Cyberthreats (OC) booklet. The updated edition includes:
* AI-powered content to reflect emerging tech threats
* Integrated data metrics system with pre/post-assessments
* Built to support measurable learning outcomes in K-12 classrooms

ESCAPE ROOM IN A BOX – Launching Late 2025

This classroom-ready, interactive experience immerses students in cybersecurity through puzzles and team-based problem-solving.

We are seeking sponsors to help distribute these boxes to schools, after-school programs, and youth-serving organizations.

Interested in supporting cybersecurity education in your community?

Please reach out to learn how you can help sponsor a box for a location of your choice. Email ncfinfo@cryptologicfoundation.org to inquire.

AUTUMN/FALL 2025

22 September 2025 - XFIL: Accelerating Technology in CNO - joint program of the NCF & MANTECH - held at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum Heights, MD. Registration is open & vendor tables are available. More info.

8 October 2025 - 24th Annual Crypto Cup Golf Tournament - a General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) hosted annual fundraiser benefiting the NCF, held in Mariottsville, MD. Registration is open and sponsorships are available. More info.

17 October 2025 - NCF Education Summit on Cybersecurity - at TAC in Columbia, MD. This one-day event brings together educators, families, and cybersecurity professionals to explore how cyber safety, literacy, and workforce readiness can be embedded in the K–12 experience. Register to attend via TAC.  Learn about available sponsorships.

22 October 2025 - 4th Annual Cocktails & Codebreakers, co-hosted by the NCF & INSF and held in Hanover, MD. Join us to once again celebrate and honor codebreakers. Registration is open & sponsorships are available. More info.

12 November 2025 - Cyber Feud at Loyola Blakefield in Towson, MD. Come out to support local high schools teams who will battle again for the Cyber Feud winning title! More info.

3-4 December 2025 - The Next Threshold: Leading Advanced AI for National Security Outcomes. Join us for the next AI Convening to Act - to be held at Carahsoft Conference Facility in Reston, VA. Title Sponsor = MANTECH. Registration is open and sponsorships are available. More info.

COMING IN 2026

* 17 January 2026 - Cyber Saturday in Columbia, MD.
* March 2026 - QRC Convening to Act (Date TBD) in College Park, MD.
* 2 May 2026 - Cyber Saturday in Columbia, MD.

The NCF has appointed former Department of Defense Undersecretary for Intelligence & Security the Honorable Ronald Moultrie to its Board of Directors. He began his three-year term in March 2025.

Moultrie brings an impressive 30 years of experience from high-level roles in the Department of Defense (DOD) and the national intelligence community. Learn More.

* This August, the NCF took the very popular Cyber Feud competition on the road to Georgia. In partnership with Maryland Stem Fest, we were proud to host Cyber Feud at the 2025 Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) National Conference in Atlanta. This exciting competition featured two dynamic teams with participants representing BDPA clubs from across the United States. (Learn More)

* In August 2025, NCF Education Program Coordinator Kishanna Harley hit the road to share our cyber education resources at the Back-to-School Drive hosted by Family Youth Peer Services at the Prince Joshua Avitto Community Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Learn More)

* The NCF's Education Team represents the NCF at education conferences throughout the year (see our blog for examples). In June 2025, NCF Education Director Dr. Alisha Jordan and Education Program Coordinator Kishanna Harley provided a well-received breakout session about the NCF's education resources at Cyber.org EdCon '25 in Chicago. (Learn More)

* The NCF Congratulates a New Class of Ambassadors at Robert Frost Middle School! (Learn More)

* 2025 Maryland History Day NCF Special Awards - Congratulations to all of the winners! (Learn More)

* Cyber Saturday May 2025 - a day of discovery, innovation, and impact. (Learn More)

The Commemorate area of our website features the In Memoriam Registry & Panel, as well as a page to recognize those from our community who have most recently left us.

We are saddened to report that we recently lost several long-time members & supporters of the Foundation. Mr. Pete Seelos was a long-time NCF member and invaluable volunteer who established and managed the membership database for many years. Pete passed away in March 2025. We also lost long-time members Thomas Milanowski (April 2025), William Stevenson Jr. (June 2025) added to the In Memoriam Registry, Retired Army Major General Thomas J. Flynn (June 2025), Raymond Szyperski (July 2025), Bernard Eugene Day (July 2025), and Norbert Szymanoski (July 2025).

Mr. Chuck Zeman (Jan 2025) was recently added to the In Memoriam Panel and became our first NCF Ambassador Program Patron. Ms. Carol Ann Beenick (Feb 2025) and Mr. David B. Israel (Oct 2024) were added to the In Memoriam Registry. 

You can honor a departed colleague with a Tribute Donation. Have memories to share about a Registry honoree? We welcome your submissions.

How Good Are You at Spotting Phishing Emails? Some phishing scams appear very authentic. Our free downloadable Adult Cyber Safety Booklet offers a treasure trove of helpful information for protecting yourself online.

Here are a few phishing detection tips:
* Email address of sender is not legitimate.
* A sense of urgency in the subject line.
* The greeting. Your bank knows your name.
* Poor grammar or typos.
* Attachments or links you did not expect.

Learn more about this & more in our booklet. 

14 August 1982: U.S. President Ronald Reagan declared this day Navajo Code Talkers Day. Click on the image to learn more.

1 Sept 1943 - First Bombe codebreaking machine is moved to U.S. Navy's Nebraska Ave building in Washington, DC. Click on the image to learn more.

See More Cryptologic Dates in History

Thank you for your support & for being part of our community,

Your colleagues at the National Cryptologic Foundation