Coastal Virginia Cybersecurity Student Association (CVCSA)

Had a great time at #CyberForge2025 and the #ZeroTrust2025 conferences! Great talks and great people!

Had a great time at CyberForge 2025 hosted by Coastal Virginia Cybersecurity Student Association (CVCSA). Was an excellent chance for networking and learning more from Cyber Security professionals. For the CTF competition held by Deloitte, it was thrilling to compete with 40+ teams to show off our skills. Can’t wait till next year. #cyberforge2025

?? CyberForge 2025 was absolutely incredible! ?? Hosted by the Coastal Virginia Cybersecurity Student Association (CVCSA) at Christopher Newport University, this event had everything—mind-blowing talks and fantastic networking. ?? ??Huge shoutout to Deloitte for hosting an exciting and challenging CTF competition! ??It was an incredible opportunity to test and improve my skills in a competitive, real-world environment. Big thanks to Victor Spears, Rich Paxton, Chris Slattery, and Jessica Struhs, CISSP, CISM, for leading the way! ?? ?? Some of my favorite sessions: ?? The Real NCIS: Mission & Cybercrime Case Study – Watching NCIS on TV was one thing, but getting a real-life look at their mission? Absolutely incredible! Executive Assistant Directors Clifton Everton & Laukik Suthar shared how NCIS fights cybercrime on a global scale. Fun facts: I thought NCIS had 50,000+ employees, turns out it’s only 2,500! ?? And they operate in more than 41 countries. ?? ?? Finding Your Way in Cybersecurity – Sebastien A. shared his personal journey into cybersecurity and broke down different career paths, offering valuable insights on offensive & defensive security, GRC, and what really matters when getting into the field. ?? Red Team Rising – Steve Campbell shared real-world strategies for breaking into offensive security, leveraging AI tools, and crushing interviews. ??? What stood out the most from Steve Campbell’s talk was: "Don't blindly trust AI results! Don't lean on it heavily and forget how to think for yourself." Obvious, right? But how many of us actually forget that simple rule? ?? Another key insight: "AI may not replace your job, but someone who knows how to do the job AND leverage AI efficiently will." ?? ?? Build Your Legacy in Cybersecurity – Greg Tomchick showed how cybersecurity pros can turn their skills into a business that makes an impact. Super inspiring! And I was lucky enough to get a signed copy of his book, Cybersecurity for Everyday People. ?? "This book isn’t for tech experts, it’s for YOU—the leader, the business owner, the everyday person who wants to feel secure in a digital world without feeling overwhelmed." Excited to explore all the insights it has to offer! ?? Closing Speaker: Darren Spencer, Sr. Digital Forensic Examiner at the FBI (CART) – He put it all together, wrapping up the event with an insightful talk on digital forensics. As someone fascinated by digital forensics, hearing from him was incredible. Learning about real-world forensic investigations and the impact of cybercrime cases was eye-opening! There were so many amazing speakers, but with overlapping schedules, I couldn’t attend them all. ?? ?? Biggest Takeaway? No two journeys are the same! Whether you’re starting out or pivoting into cybersecurity, success comes from motivation, inspiration, some CTF fun??, and in some cases, a little more patience.? Huge thanks to CVCSA, the speakers, and everyone who made this event happen! #CyberForge2025

Exciting Summer Program for Students Interested in Cybersecurity We are now offering Virginia high schools a six-week summer Technology Enabled Engagement with Mentoring? (TEEM) program. Originally developed in partnership with the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, this program will prepare students who are interested in pursuing cyber-related studies when they enter college. Students receive valuable knowledge, insight, and mentorship from a local college student enrolled in a relatable field at a local institution, as well as a signed certificate from CTEWorkforce to supplement their professional resume upon completion. Click on this link to view a one-page pdf document that contains the details of the program: https://hubs.ly/Q03dy5yJ0. For more information, or to start the onboarding process for your school system, please email Ed Gooding at [email protected]. #TEEM2025 #STEM #CTEWorkforce

Day 2 of CyberForge 2025 was nothing short of thrilling! The spotlight was on the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition hosted by Deloitte, where over 40 teams went head-to-head, showcasing their skills in a fast-paced, high-stakes cybersecurity challenge. The competition was fierce, with teams from top universities battling it out to solve real-world cyber challenges and demonstrate their expertise. After hours of intense problem-solving, the winners emerged: ?? 1st Place - TribeCyber (William & Mary) Lily Gloudemans Nicolas Janis Walker Knapp Zachary Bowden ?? 2nd Place - pmn@vt (Virginia Tech) Franklin Zhang Hunter Owings Lake Gohlke Miles Zoellner ?? 3rd Place - Mason Competitive Cyber (GMU) Danyaal Shaozab Dylan Knoff Ruby Simonpietri Sanskar Pokharel A huge congratulations to all the teams for their impressive performances and exceptional teamwork! ?? Thanks to Deloitte for hosting this amazing event and providing the platform for the next generation of cybersecurity talent to shine. We're inspired by the passion and dedication of these competitors and can’t wait to see where they go next! #CyberForge2025 #CTF #CaptureTheFlag #CyberSecurity #CyberTalent #Innovation #TechCompetition #FutureOfSecurity #Day2

What an incredible start to CyberForge 2025! Day 1 brought together some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity, with thought-provoking sessions from experts like Clifton Everton, Laukik Suthar, Steve Campbell, Rodney Hopkins, Bailey Williams, Karen Ann Etulle, Casey Dye, Sebastien A., Darren Spencer, Greg Tomchick, and Owen Tremblay. Special thank you to our sponsors: Deloitte, AFCEA Hampton Roads, odu wicys, Virginia Cybersecurity Students (VCyS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), MITRE, MI Technical Solutions, CompTIA, and TCM Security for more this event possible! Thank you to all our speakers, attendees, and sponsors for making it such a fantastic kickoff! #CyberForge2025 #CyberSecurity #Innovation #TechConference #CyberDefense #Day1 #FutureOfSecurity

?? CyberForge 2025 Speakers Highlight ?? Build Your Legacy in Cybersecurity Location: David Student Union Ballroom Ready to make your mark in the booming cybersecurity industry? "Build Your Legacy in Cybersecurity" is for passionate experts looking to turn their skills into a business that protects and empowers communities. Learn key strategies and insights from Greg Tomchick's award-winning course to become a leader in this vital field. Whether you're just starting or looking to level up, this session will guide you in building a mission-driven company that leaves a lasting impact.

?? CyberForge 2025 Speakers Highlight ?? Red Team Rising: Breaking Into Offensive Security Location: David Student Union Ballroom This presentation is designed to help aspiring offensive security professionals navigate the challenges of breaking into the field. Drawing from personal experience, Steve Campbell will share insights on developing a successful mindset, mastering critical skills, and navigating training and certifications. Attendees will also learn strategies for standing out in interviews, using AI tools for skills development, and insider tips for advancing in the hiring process. Whether you're switching careers or starting in cybersecurity, this session offers practical advice to fast-track your path into offensive security.

?? CyberForge 2025 Speakers Highlight ?? Finding Your Way in Cybersecurity: A Personal Journey Location: David Student Union Ballroom In this session, Sebastien A. will share his journey into cybersecurity and break down the different career paths within this fast-evolving field. From Offensive & Defensive Security to GRC, he will tackle key questions like ‘Do I need a degree?’ and ‘What’s the earning potential?’ Don’t miss it!

?? CyberForge 2025 Speakers Highlight ?? The Real NCIS: Mission/Functions & Cybercrime Case Study Location: David Student Union Ballroom Join us for an insightful session with NCIS Executive Assistant Directors Clifton Everton and Laukik Suthar as they delve into the critical mission and functions of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. They will provide an overview of NCIS's global operations and diverse career opportunities, and will present a compelling case study on NCIS’s role in the Redline investigation. Learn how NCIS, in collaboration with the FBI and international law enforcement, disrupted cybercriminal operations impacting millions globally.