College of Coastal Georgia Cyber Team Excels in DOE CyberForce Competition

The College of Coastal Georgia Cyber Team has achieved a remarkable milestone, securing 23rd place in the 10th Annual Department of Energy (DOE) CyberForce Competition held on November 9, 2024. Competing against 94 teams from across the nation, Coastal Georgia not only ranked as the 19th overall top-performing school, but also claimed the highest ranking among participating state colleges and institutions from Georgia.

This significant achievement highlights the exceptional talent and dedication of the Cyber Team, especially considering the college’s limited resources as a small state institution. Their performance underscores the College’s commitment to fostering excellence in cybersecurity education and workforce readiness.

The team was led by students Vivian Lawless (team captain), Derik Highcock (second-in-command), Chase Jones, Jake Enlow, Athen Talyor, and Will Medders. They worked tirelessly to prepare for the competition. Their dedication and teamwork were tested as they tackled complex real-world scenarios, demonstrating advanced skills in both operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) cybersecurity. They scored 7305 out of 10000.

Associate Professor of Cyber Defense Dr. Nelbert St. Clair, who is also the team’s mentor and coach, said, “I watched six brilliant, talented young minds work together and become a team.  I can’t explain the joy, as I watched them battle to stay in the top 25 of the competition. It was like watching David vs. Goliath. They beat 71 universities from across the USA!”  

The DOE’s CyberForce® Program is a premier workforce development initiative designed to inspire and equip the next generation of cyber defenders for the energy sector. Through its competitions, webinars, learning resources, and career fairs, the program bridges the gap between critical infrastructure and cybersecurity by emphasizing real-world applications. Participants are challenged to develop critical thinking and soft skills, while focusing on both OT and IT cybersecurity. The program encourages a balance of individual and team contributions, enabling participants to build self-confidence and refine their cyber defense capabilities.

The Cyber Team’s success in this rigorous competition reflects their ability to excel in simulated real-world energy sector scenarios and demonstrates the strength of the college’s cyber defense program. This achievement also reinforces the vital role small colleges play in developing skilled professionals for the growing cybersecurity field.