The Rensselaer Cybersecurity Collaboratory (RCC) continues to make its mark in the world of Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, with two impressive performances this academic year.

Last weekend, four RCC students placed 10th in the prestigious UConn CyberSEED tournament, earning a $250 cash prize. The four-person team was made up of RPI students Stephen Wright ’25, Ryan Hickey ’25, ’26G, Siddiq Mohaideen ’27 and Taylor Mull ’25. This strong finish highlights the team's continued excellence in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity. The students demonstrated their ability to tackle challenging cybersecurity problems, competing against top talent from across the nation.

Earlier in October, another RCC team took first place at the University of North Dakota’s Cyber Hawks CTF, held at the IEEE Cyber Awareness & Research Symposium. This team was made up of RPI students Bulmaro Nava-Camal ’26, Adam Todd ’26, and Devin Ross ’25. This victory further demonstrates the skills and dedication of our students, who continue to excel in competitions that test their knowledge of security protocols, cryptography, and hacking techniques.

Brian Callahan ’15G, ’18, Ph.D., RPI senior lecturer and director of the RCC, praised the students for their dedication: "These results are a testament to the hard work and talent of our students. Our teams consistently demonstrate the high level of skill and teamwork that sets them apart in national competitions. We're proud of their achievements and excited to see them continue to succeed in the field of cybersecurity."

Both of these achievements showcase the talent and hard work of Rensselaer’s students in the highly competitive cybersecurity arena. The RCC looks forward to building on this success in future events and to continuing to train the next generation of cybersecurity experts.