The Cybersecurity Club at the University of West Florida is a student-led organization focused on building cybersecurity skills through hands-on experience and community. With around 50 active members from various tech disciplines, we engage in Capture the Flag (CTF) events and other cyber defense competitions. Founded by students passionate about cyber challenges, we’ve grown to offer workshops, technical training, and guest lectures from industry experts. Our goal is to provide an inclusive space for students to deepen their cybersecurity knowledge, prepare for certifications, and build connections for future careers in the field.
Establish Community Outreach
We aim to connect with the local community to spread awareness about cybersecurity, promote safe online practices, and inspire younger generations to explore careers in technology. Through partnerships with schools, community centers, and local businesses, we provide workshops, presentations, and hands-on activities that help demystify cybersecurity for all ages. Our outreach efforts also enable members to practice communication and leadership skills while giving back to the community.
Discuss Relevant Security Topics
In our club meetings, we discuss current and emerging cybersecurity topics, from recent data breaches and privacy issues to trends in malware and artificial intelligence in security. By discussing real-world cases and challenges, we help members stay informed and critically engage with issues that impact today’s digital landscape. This fosters a space where students can share insights, ask questions, and build their understanding of the ever-evolving field.
Find Industry Speakers
We regularly invite industry professionals to share their expertise and experiences with our members. These guest speakers come from various cybersecurity domains, including network security, threat intelligence, and ethical hacking. Connecting students with experienced practitioners provides valuable career insights, advice, and networking opportunities that can open doors to internships, jobs, and mentorships.
Demo Security Tools
Our club emphasizes hands-on learning, and tool demonstrations are a core part of this. We explore a range of cybersecurity tools, from network analyzers and vulnerability scanners to malware analysis platforms and encryption software. Members can experiment with these tools in a safe environment, learning how they’re used in real-world scenarios to prevent and respond to security threats. These demos also introduce students to industry-standard tools, helping them build skills they’ll use in their careers.
Anything Else We Deem of Value to the Club or Students' Futures
Our club is continually evolving to meet the needs and interests of our members. Whether it's organizing resume workshops, hosting mock interviews, or exploring certifications and resources to help students advance, we’re committed to supporting our members’ personal and professional growth. We are always open to new ideas and initiatives that align with our mission of preparing students for successful futures in cybersecurity.
2024 CPTC Southeast Regional – Top 8
Spring 2024 National Cyber League - Top 7%
2024 Southeast Region NCAE Cyber Games - 2nd Place
Fall 2023 National Cyber League - Top 8%
2023 ITEN Wired Cyber Competition - 1st Place
2023 SECPTC Regionals – Top 8
2023 NCAE Cyber Games - National Top 10
Spring 2023 National Cyber League - Top 3%
2023 CPTC Southeast Regional – Top 8
2022 NCAE Southeast Regionals - 2nd place
2022 ITEN Wired Cyber Competition - 1st Place
Fall 2022 National Cyber League - Top 5%
2022 CPTC Southeast Regional – Top 8
2022 SECCDC Qualifiers – Top 8
2021 CPTC International Finals – Top 10 worldwide
2021 CPTC Southeast Regional - 2nd Place
2020 HTB x Uni CTF – Top 25% worldwide
2020 CPTC Southeast Regionals – 2nd place
2020 UB Net Def Lockdown – 2nd place
2020 NCCDC National Wildcards – 5th place
2020 SECCDC Regionals – 2nd place
2020 SECCDC Qualifiers – Top 8
2019 ITEN Wired Cyber Challenge – 1st place
2018 ITEN Wired Cyber Challenge – 1st & 5th place
2018 Security Maters ICS Competiton – 1st Place
2018 MITRE National Competition – 4th & 7th place
2018 AFCEA's Cyberthon - 1st & 2nd place
2017 Florida Center for Cybersecurity Cyber Challenge - 2nd place
2017 ITEN Wired Cyber Defense and Incident Response - 1st place
2017 AFCEA's Cyberthon - 1st place
2016 Florida Center for Cybersecurity Cyber Challenge - 1st place
2016 ITEN Wired Cyber Challenge - 3rd place