A major experiential learning activity took place on January 16, 2026, at East Carolina University (ECU) as part of its effort to strengthen cybersecurity talent development across North Carolina’s academic ecosystem. ECU’s Cyber Competition Club partnered with the North Carolina National Guard Cyber Security Response Force (NCNG CSRF) to host a full-day Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition at the ECU Main Campus Student Center in Greenville.
CTF events bring students into real-world problem-solving by simulating scenarios in which participants must identify vulnerabilities, analyze system behavior, and defend or exploit systems within structured challenge formats. These activities are widely used in cybersecurity education because they require teams to apply knowledge in open-ended environments that reflect the complexity of modern cyber operations.
A Multilayered Learning Experience
The January event welcomed students of all skill levels and included both beginner-friendly and advanced challenge tracks, allowing participants to build, break into, and protect networks in a competitive setting. The program also featured briefings and technical demonstrations from federal and state cyber partners, including the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cyber Squad Division, and the NCNG CSRF. Attendees had opportunities to engage directly with cybersecurity practitioners and subject matter experts.
Leaders from ECU and the NC National Guard emphasized that the event’s purpose was not only competition, but also exposure to cyber operations, career pathways, and professional expectations. Bringing these elements together supports deeper student insight into both the technical and contextual aspects of cybersecurity work.
Connecting Students with Employers and Practitioners
CTFs serve multiple roles in workforce development. They validate technical knowledge, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and build confidence through structured problem solving. CCN sees these activities as a strategic link between academic preparation and employer expectations across government and private sectors. Participation in CTFs aligns with CCN’s mission to cultivate a robust and skilled cyber workforce across member institutions by exposing students to scenarios that bridge classroom learning and professional practice.
By enabling students to interact with practitioners from federal homeland security agencies and state cyber response teams, events like this clarify the competencies most relevant in the field while building relationships that often lead to internships and early-career opportunities.
Impact Across the State
ECU’s event provided a model for other CCN member institutions seeking to embed experiential training into their cybersecurity curricula. CCN expects that similar collaborations between schools, government partners, and industry stakeholders will increase statewide capacity to develop talent capable of addressing evolving threats. This event demonstrated how strategic partnerships can extend learning far beyond the classroom and support North Carolina’s broader cybersecurity readiness goals.
Next Steps
CCN encourages faculty and student leaders from member schools to engage in upcoming cyber competitions and partner with institutions, government agencies, and industry groups to expand access to hands-on learning. These shared experiences strengthen North Carolina’s pipeline of cyber professionals and enhance the state’s competitiveness in technology and security sectors.
