Virginia Cybersecurity Education Conference comes to Virginia Tech
The Virginia Cyber Range reached new heights at its seventh annual Virginia Cybersecurity Education Conference, held at Virginia Tech’s Squires Student Center on July 16-17. The conference transformed the university’s campus into a hub for cybersecurity education — drawing educators, practitioners, and industry leaders.
Held at Virginia Tech for the first time, the event was marked by distinctive touches that enriched the conference experience.
The conference opened with a welcome address by Sharon P. Pitt, vice president for information technology and chief information officer. Pitt's remarks reflected the university’s, and the commonwealth’s, commitment to advancing cybersecurity education.
“It was an honor to welcome everyone to Virginia Tech and to see our campus come alive with such innovative discussions and passionate engagement,” Pitt said. “The spirit of collaboration and learning that permeated the conference truly embody the values we hold at Virginia Tech.”
Attendees enjoyed visits from Virginia Tech’s therapy dogs, Derek and Epcot, along with Ringo, the patrol pony for the Virginia Tech Police Department.
Jessica Gulick, founder of Katzcy and commissioner of the US Cyber Games, gave a keynote on the educational potential of cybersecurity games and competitions. Her session showed how team-oriented gameplay can significantly enhance learning and skill development in cybersecurity.
The conference sessions spanned a wide range of topics, from exploring online gaming vulnerabilities and leveraging open educational resources to hands-on activities such as ransomware preparedness and integrating social sciences into cybersecurity education. Attendees also delved into ethical considerations in cybersecurity and the impact of artificial intelligence with practical activities such as creating deep fakes and threat modeling.
The conference also celebrated this year’s recipient of the Virginia Cybersecurity Educator Award, Chris Starke of Loudoun County Public Schools.
Chris Stark receives a glass plaque award presented by Dave Raymond and Mingui Wei
This award recognizes Starke’s outstanding contributions to cybersecurity education, reflecting his dedication to advancing the field and inspiring future cybersecurity professionals.
A highlight was the focus on engaging students with cybersecurity concepts and career paths. Various initiatives and resources were presented to support educators in integrating cybersecurity into their curricula, aiming to inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
A standout of this year’s conference was the addition of New College Institute’s CyberSAFE vehicle. New College Institute is a state-funded educational institution that provides higher education and workforce development programs through university partnerships to support regional economic growth and educational access.
The CyberSAFE car is designed to travel to schools and events across the region as part of the institute’s outreach mission. This mobile command center allows New College Institute to deliver real-world cybersecurity exercises and simulations directly to students and professionals, enhancing learning opportunities and raising awareness about cybersecurity preparedness. Ken Russell, director of New College Institute, praised the initiative. “The CyberSAFE vehicle represents a significant leap forward in experiential cybersecurity education,” said Russell.
“The energy and enthusiasm of the participants underscored the importance of innovation and collaboration in cybersecurity education," David Raymond, director of the Virginia Cyber Range, said. "It’s clear that our collective efforts are driving meaningful progress in this vital field.”
