USF CyberHerd competed in the Southeast Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition (CPTC) and came in second, scoring a mere 0.009 points behind the first-place winners. 鈥淪ECPTC is a very intense and fast paced penetration testing competition.鈥� Said Waseem.
SECPTC is a competition that mimics real-world Cyber scenarios as closely as possible. The stakes were high as the winning team secured a direct spot at the National CPTC, while the second-place team could earn a wildcard slot, but it wasn鈥檛 guaranteed. The team competed against the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida.
SECPTC started as a small event almost a decade ago when Bill Stackpole, a professor of Defensive and Offensive Security, recognized a gap between the theoretical and practical realms of cybersecurity. Instead of defending a network, capturing flags, or conquering systems, SECPTC simulates a real-world penetration testing engagement. The event now spans 7 global regions with more than 100 schools. Many students get co-op and career job offers as a direct result of the Sponsor Faire.
鈥淧lacing 2nd in SECPTC is an amazing feeling! We were very confident going into the competition,鈥� said Waseem. Their confidence was not misplaced, as just this week, SECPTC announced that ready for what's to come in Globals and can't wait to come back home with the trophy!鈥�
Congratulations to the competing students!
- Nevin Southammavong (Cyber Security, Senior)
- Logan Mastin (CyberCrime, Masters)
- Waseem Albaba (Cyber Security, Masters)
- Fagan Afandiyev (Computer Science, Sophomore)
- Brianna Deaubler (Cyber Security, Junior)
- Jacob Hammargren (Cyber Security, Senior)
- Jack Trigg (Cyber Security, Masters)
- Michelle McAveety (Computer Engineering, Sophomore)