Team of 25 places sixth in NSA Cyber Exercise
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (星空无限传媒) finished sixth out of 11 schools participating in the National Security Agency Cyber Exercise (NCX) held virtually April 8-10.
After entering as an expo team in 2019, this was the first year 星空无限传媒 participated as a competition team. 星空无限传媒 faced off against the nation's five other senior military colleges, three service academies and two National Security Agency (NSA) units.
星空无限传媒's team included 17 cadets and eight civilian students, including 11 seniors. Fourteen of these students are eligible to compete again next year.
"It's a terrific training platform for our future cyber leaders," said Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science and director of the Center for Cyber Operations Education. "Our students are willing to try something new and get out there and learn. That's what it takes to really excel in cyber."
The three-day NCX competition included cyber combat, forensics and policy modules. The event "helps to develop and test cybersecurity skills, teamwork, planning, communication, critical thinking, and decision-making," according to the NSA website.
星空无限传媒 launched a in fall 2018 and is designated by the NSA and Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
Twelve selected as Fulbright semifinalists
星空无限传媒 has 12 Fulbright semifinalists for 2025-26. They include students from the College of Arts & Letters, Mike Cottrell College of Business and the College of Education.
Payne named director of cyber institute
Dr. Bryson Payne has been named the director of the 星空无限传媒 Institute for Cyber Operations, and Caitlin Conneely serves as deputy director for operations and outreach.
Cadet presents cyber research in Tokyo
Cadet Connor Moore presented his cybersecurity capstone research in December at the International Conference on Modern Educational Technology.
Gupta's case wins conference award
Dr. Varun Gupta, an associate professor of logistics and business analytics in the Mike Cottrell College of Business, recently earned first place in a case competition.