This isn’t the Capture the Flag of your youth. The game’s name is the same, but it takes place in cyberspace. Two teams face off in a live attack scenario — one tries to break into a computer network while the other defends it. People play all over the world, and at Wilmington University, they’re the Cyber Wildcats. 

“Cyber Wildcats is a cybersecurity club. We participate in security games together,” says Matthew Ellis-Richmond, who will graduate this spring with a B.S. in Cybersecurity. “It’s a serious connection to the industry, and it is a worthwhile investment in yourself to get involved.” Plus, “it’s fun.”  

Learning Cybersecurity 

Since 2011, Cyber Wildcats have gained hands-on experience battling cybersecurity threats in a controlled environment. Teammates write scripts, compile code, solve problems, install systems and software, and study ways to compromise those systems. 

“Our students are practicing with real live scenarios that are up to date in today’s cyber environment,” says Darryl Santry, the club’s advisor and WilmU’s Cybersecurity program chair. “It gamifies cybersecurity and helps reach students where they’re at to learn and practice cybersecurity skills, offensively and defensively.” 

“It’s simply not enough to just check the boxes, take the classes, get the grades,” says Eric Arnoth, an adjunct professor and the team’s coach. “You’ve actually got to get your hands dirty, play with things, break things. Why did it break? Fix it. Figure it out.”  

In addition to technical knowledge, the club helps develop critical thinking, communication, collaboration and other soft skills. 

“The soft skills that I learned in Cyber Wildcats have actually helped me tremendously in my job,” says WilmU graduate Tiffiny Rideout, an adjunct professor who enjoys working with the team. “They helped get me to where I am today, so I definitely feel the need to give back and pass that on to someone else. It’s a great group.” 

Cybersecurity Fundamentals 

Operating fully online, the Cyber Wildcats welcome all WilmU students. They compete against other colleges in the NCAE Cyber Games, organized by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, practice with Pros V Joes and benefit from BSides information security conferences. 

“Employers look for this kind of thing when they’re hiring,” says Arnoth, who calls the Cyber Wildcats “absolutely essential for anyone who’s serious about cybersecurity.” 

“Participating in something like Cyber Wildcats gives you a connection to the industry and really gives you a leg up,” Ellis-Richmond says. Cybersecurity is his third career path, and he appreciates the camaraderie. “It’s really nice to have this community where it doesn’t feel so intimidating to be making this big change.”