Tiffin University students place in top 7% in national cybersecurity competition

Tiffin, Ohio — Tiffin University’s Hacking Club had a successful showing at the spring 2023 National Cyber League (NCL) Competition, ranking in the top seven percent of the country. The biannual event is open to teams across the United States, with 3,593 teams participating in this year’s competition.

“I am extremely proud of this group of students,” said Andrew Groman, Instructor of Cybersecurity and Hacking Club Faculty Mentor. “They performed exceptionally well, especially when you factor in that this was the first time our team has competed in a few years. They were also going up against veteran teams with multiple years of competition experience. I am especially pleased that we were able to hold our own against schools of varying calibers and resources, including D1 and Ivy League institutions. My thanks is extended to the Tiffin University Center for Cyber Defense and Forensics. The team is an initiative of and housed within the Center, and we greatly appreciate the support.”

The team, consisting of undergraduate students Jon Klotz, Lindsey Murphy, Jaylen Lasseter, Miyo Fabregas, Vincent Volpe, and Dustin Mobley, competed in a series of individual and team games that simulated real-world scenarios. Tasks included identifying an attacker’s username, performing diagnostic and analysis work, and testing a faux company’s defense measures. The team’s overall score was based on the total points accrued during these exercises.

“I am very proud of Jon, Lindsey, Jaylen, Miyo, Vincent and Dustin for their hard work and for linking their knowledge to professional practice,” said Dr. Mark Sabo, Dean of the School of Science, Technology and Health. “Tiffin University is extremely fortunate to have faculty like Professor Groman who engages our students in hands-on, minds-on educational opportunities outside the classroom.”

The Tiffin University Center for Cyber Defense and Forensics supports the Hacking Club, which is housed within the Center. For more information about the Center, visit this link.