Virginia at forefront of cyber innovation

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March 2024

Cyber Fusion 2024 was held at the Virginia Military Institute in late February and drew 150 students from 21 colleges to the Capture the Flag competition and job fair. CCI co-organized the event with VMI.

A Message from the Executive Director

Dear Lisa,

You might be surprised to learn that an international conflict is related to the network equipment that connects you and your mobile phone. I explored this topic in an opinion piece published this month in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Operators such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile rely on network equipment provided by a handful of telecommunications vendors. The Commonwealth of Virginia’s investment in cybersecurity innovation, research and workforce development has placed Virginia at the forefront of the United States’ efforts to drive innovation in the network equipment market and to secure the next generation of networks.

In recent decades, China has pursued leadership in wireless networks, becoming a dominant force in the standardization of cellular technologies. China-based Huawei currently has the highest market share among telecom equipment vendors, and Chinese companies’ dominance is being particularly felt in emerging economies, where they compete aggressively on price.

At stake is the economic strength and national security of the United States.

Experiential Learning Program Call for Proposals is open!

It’s time to submit proposals to our longest-running workforce development program. The CCI Experiential Learning Program has helped Virginia students learn the skills they need to lead successful careers. Proposals are due by April 26. We’ll prioritize projects that provide students with workforce experience, and the program must involve students at more than one CCI institution.

Cyber Fusion 2024

Capture the Flag competitions continue to be a great way for students to showcase their skills and learn new ones. CCI is proud to be a co-organizer with the Virginia Military Institute’s Center for Leadership and Ethics of last month’s Cyber Fusion 2024, which drew about 150 students from 21 Virginia colleges.

Four-year college winners: First Place, George Mason University; Second Place, University of Virginia; and Third Place, Virginia Tech
Two-year college winners: First Place, Tidewater Community College; Second Place, Northern Virginia Community College; and Third Place, Virginia Western Community College

Students are able to meet employers at the job fair such as the CCI-invited CACI, Microsoft, NavSea Warfare Centers, Easy Dynamics, Triple Point Security, and Assemblage CO.

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Students—become a mentor!

Learn valuable leadership and mentoring experience while helping shape the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through a CCI-funded experiential learning project to CivilianCyber. The peer-mentoring program pairs college students majoring in cybersecurity and adjacent programs with high school students interested in a cybersecurity career. Apply by March 27. The next cohort starts April 1.

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Norfolk State University noted for “exemplary cybersecurity program” by national director

National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr. visited Norfolk State University last month and praised the university’s exemplary cybersecurity program. The university is a Center of Academic Excellence, a designation by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. In 2009, NSU became one of the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the country to earn the CAE recognition. Read more.

CCI Southwest Virginia Node Director Gretchen Matthews discusses turning hard problems into post quantum solutions in American Scientist article

Gretchen Matthews (at right) works with Hailey Egan ´23. She is a Virginia Tech mathematics professor and director of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative in Southwest Virginia. Matthews is investigating ways to improve code-based cryptography schemes — one of the few cryptosystems that are resilient to cyberattacks from both today’s computers and quantum computers of the future. Learn more from Matthews in her invited review article in the March-April edition of American Scientist.

Blue Ridge Community College cyber art exhibit

Visit Blue Ridge Community College’s newest gallery exhibition Exploring Vulnerabilities of Artificial Intelligence Through Visual Art: Fractured Reflections: Navigating AI, Cybersecurity and the Shifting Self. These works, funded by a grant from CCI, are on display at the BRCC Fine Arts Center (V-Building) through April 15. A reception will be held March 26 at 11:30 a.m.

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How to get a job in cybersecurity–virtual and in-person session on March 29 at Norfolk State

Students interested in learning how they can be hired for a cybersecurity job are invited to an event on March 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Norfolk State University. Rodney Hopkins, a retired Air Force veteran with more than 30 years of experience in Information Technology and Cybersecurity, will be the speaker. The session is hosted by the Coastal Virginia Cybersecurity Student Association and CCI Coastal Virginia.

If you want to keep up with cybersecurity news in Virginia, please visit our website. We're getting ready for our annual all-hands meeting next month, bringing together cybersecurity researchers from across the state.

All the best,

Luiz DaSilva
Executive Director

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