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UCF Cybersecurity

Florida Cyber Competitions

Developing Florida’s cybersecurity champions through collegiate competitions, hands-on training, and real-world challenges. Our nationally-ranked teams connect students with industry, strengthen cyber defense skills, and build tomorrow’s cyber leaders.

UCF has won six national championships in the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.

Over 200 active student members train and compete in cyber defense competitions annually.

Set regional record with 89% system uptime in Southeast CCDC championship.

UCF Cyber Club and Teams

Collegiate Cyber Defense Club @ UCF

Central Florida’s premier cybersecurity community is the Collegiate Cyber Defense Club @ UCF (Hack@UCF). Founded in September 2012, it is UCF’s only defensive and offensive cybersecurity student organization dedicated to fostering a security-aware generation in Central Florida. With over 200 active student members, the club creates a dynamic environment where students enhance computer security skills while developing a solid foundation in ethical practices. Weekly meetings and workshops during the academic year feature topics ranging from current events to security tools and hardware, often including presentations from industry professionals on advanced topics like reverse engineering and exploitation. The club’s passion for cybersecurity extends beyond the classroom through active participation in collegiate, national, and international competitions, empowering members to excel in defensive and offensive security strategies.

Hack@UCF logo

UCF Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition Team

The UCF Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) Team exemplifies excellence in defensive cybersecurity. Founded in January 2013, the team comprises 12 dedicated undergraduate students who master system administration, security, and business operations through year-round training. Currently holding a three-peat national championship title (2021-2024), their expertise spans customer service, networking, forensics, incident response, and technical writing. The team’s outstanding track record includes multiple national championships and consistent top placements in the Southeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, where they’ve earned distinctions for service, defense, and business acumen. Team members routinely secure internships at Fortune 500 companies, with alumni consistently establishing successful careers in the security field.

Knightsec CTF Competition Team

Knightsec is UCF’s competitive Capture The Flag (CTF) team, representing the offensive security arm of the Collegiate Cyber Defense Club. The team regularly participates in national and international CTF competitions, tackling challenges across web exploitation, reverse engineering, cryptography, and system exploitation. Consistently ranked among the top U.S. CTF teams, Knightsec engages in jeopardy-style competitions that test and enhance members’ offensive security skills. The team maintains a collaborative learning environment where experienced members mentor newcomers, hosting regular workshops and training sessions to develop expertise in various cybersecurity disciplines.

Cyber Competition Coaching & Faculty Leadership

Thomas Nedorost, UCF Instructor of Computer Science and Information Technology

Thomas Nedorost, Ph.D.

Faculty Advisor & Competition Coach, Instructor of Computer Science and Information Technology

Under Nedorost’s leadership, UCF’s cyber competition teams have achieved six national championships in the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. As Faculty Advisor to the Collegiate Cyber Defense Club and Competition Coach, he has built one of the nation’s most successful collegiate cybersecurity programs.

Recent Achievements

2024 Cyber Competitions

  • Global Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition @RIT (Jan 12-14)
  • Southeast CCDC Qualifier (Feb 10)
  • DOE Conquer the Hill: Command Edition (Feb 17)
  • NCAE Cyber Games – SE Region I (Feb 24)
  • Information Security Talent Search Competition @RIT (Mar 1-3)
  • NCAE Cyber Games – SE Region 2 (Mar 9)
  • Southeast CCDC Regional @FIT (Mar 22-24)
  • CyberFlorida Sunshine CyberCon (Mar 27-28)
  • NCAE Cyber Games – Finals (Apr TBD)
  • DOE Conquer the Hill: Adventurer Edition (Apr TBD)
  • UBNetDef LockdownV16 Competition @Buffalo (Apr TBD)

2023 Cyber Competition Achievements

First Place

  • DOE CyberForce Competition – National Championship
  • Southeast Collegiate Pen Testing Competition
  • Hack the Building 2.0: Hospital Edition
  • AFCEA Augusta TechNet International Military and Collegiate CTF Competition
  • DOE Conquer-the-Hill Reign Edition
  • Aviation ISAC Student Cyber Challenge
  • Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition (Southeast Regional)

Second Place

  • UBNetDef LockdownV15 Competition
  • Raymond James Capture the Flag Competition

Third Place

  • Western Regional CCDC Invitational

2022 Cyber Competition Achievements

First Place

  • CAE-NSA Cyber Exercise – National Championship
  • DOE CyberForce Competition – National Championship
  • CyberSEED CTF
  • Aviation ISAC Student Cyber Challenge
  • NIATEC Invitational Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition
  • Southeast Collegiate Pen Testing Competition
  • WRCCDC Invitational

Second Place

  • DOE CyberForce Competition
  • Cyberbit International Cyber League Collegiate Cup

Third Place

  • Aviation ISAC Student Cyber Challenge

2021 Cyber Competition Achievements

First Place

  • DOE Conquer-the-Hill – Adventurer Competition
  • Aviation ISAC Collegiate CTF Competition
  • Raymond James Capture the Flag Competition

Second Place

  • National Cyber League Team Competition
  • NIATEC Invitational CCDC

Third Place

  • Information Security Talent Search Competition
  • CyberSEED CTF Competition
  • UBNetDef LockdownV10 Competition