Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Elan Smolar Eisenberg ’25, an undergraduate with a dual major in computer science and information technology and web science (ITWS), has been selected as one of 12 members of the inaugural U.S. Women’s Cyber Team. Smolar Eisenberg will head to Tokyo in November, along with her teammates, to compete in the Kunoichi Cyber Games at the 2024 Code Blue Conference in collaboration with teams from Japan, Europe, and the United Kingdom.

“I am proud and honored to be able to represent my country in Tokyo and to be a part of the inaugural U.S. Women's Cyber Team,” said Smolar Eisenberg. “I am grateful to the U.S. Cyber Games for creating this unique opportunity for women to work together in cybersecurity. Wish us luck in Tokyo!”

In order to make the team, Smolar Eisenberg was judged on her attack and defense skills, vulnerability management, patch management, and forensics skills. Leadership, teamwork, and other workplace skills were also taken into account. 

Smolar Eisenberg fell in love with computers at an early age - by the third grade she had taught herself Javascript and Python. In high school, she took a variety of computer science and engineering courses and realized she wanted to go to a technological university like RPI.

“I am fortunate to receive such an excellent education at RPI,” said Smolar Eisenberg. “I am also extremely grateful for the support from the Rensselaer Cybersecurity Collaboratory (RCC) and my coach, Dr. Callahan. Dr. Callahan informed me of this opportunity and has supported me with resources and guidance along the way. The RCC is an exceptional community, as well as a powerhouse full of hardworking students whom I've had the honor of competing alongside.” 

Brian Callahan, ’15G, ’18 Ph.D. is the director of the RCC and graduate program director in ITWS. The RCC is a cybersecurity-focused research laboratory. Research projects have included quantum security, enhanced by RPI’s IBM Quantum System One, which is the only one in the world housed on a college campus; developing cybersecurity awareness training; and more. The RCC is also home to RPI's premiere capture the flag team, including a #1 school in the nation ranking in the National Cyber League Cyber Power Rankings Fall 2023 season. 

“All of us in the RCC are extremely proud of Elan,” said Callahan. “We are excited to support her as she represents the USA, the RCC, ITWS, and RPI on the world stage. Her election to the U.S. Women's Cyber Team is evidence of the RCC's continued excellence as a national leader in cybersecurity capture the flag tournament successes, and further cements the RCC's reputation of global impact in cybersecurity research and education.”

The U.S. Women’s Cyber Team was created to address gender disparity in cybersecurity by cultivating female role models and creating a pipeline of talent. Members compete in capture the flag, in which they find vulnerabilities in a system, as well as attack and defense formats, enhancing their cybersecurity skills along the way. Their virtual practice begins this summer, led by a head coach and assistant head coach. At the Kunoichi Games, the athletes will not only compete, but they will network with peers and share with attendees the value of cybersecurity competitions and career opportunities in the field.