TU’s Cyber Defense Club, the Cyber4All Center and the Maryland Air National Guard hosted its first live capture-the-flag-style competition for Maryland students Sept. 12 on campus. 

A partnership with the Maryland Air National Guard and leading cyber readiness platform, Hack the Box, Guard Maryland: Cyber Showdown 2026 connected nearly 100 university, community college and high school students in a day-long competition during which they navigated a variety of scenarios in cyber defense and operations.

“There is a national need for experts in cybersecurity. Events like this help participants develop these critical skills,” says Dr. Michael O’Leary, Fellow at the Center and a professor with joint appointments in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) and the Department of Mathematics.

Professor O'Leary monitors Cyber Capture the Flag TU student participant and Air Force member
Professor O'Leary oversees one of the Cyber Capture the Flag teams
Members of the Maryland Air Force National Guard join college students in the Cyber Capture the Flag competition
Students in TU's Cyber Defense Club participating the the Cyber Capture the Flag event

Broken into teams of five with novice to expert-level cyber experience, participants navigated 40 cyber scenarios across 10 different categories. Photos courtesy of Rose Cooperman.

Members of the Maryland Air National Guard joined the competition, inspiring students with insight into navigating cyber challenges in a professional capacity. 

“This kind of event also provides a way for students to learn about opportunities in the Maryland Air National Guard, especially in their cyber security missions,” O'Leary adds.

Blazing nation-wide trails in cybersecurity education

A global leader in interdisciplinary and inclusive cybersecurity education, research and innovation, TU’s Center for Interdisciplinary & Innovative Cybersecurity (TU Cyber4All Center) enables undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in TU’s cybersecurity programs apply their knowledge to real-world research applications.

TU's Department of CIS started one of the first undergraduate cybersecurity tracks in the nation and the first in Maryland.

"As coach of the Cyber Defense Team and through his case studies class, Mike has worked to create hands-on, real-world learning experiences that challenge students and help develop the skills they need to become strong cyber operators for the nation," says Blair Taylor, Director of the Cyber4AllCenter.

"The Cyber Showdown is a great example of that work, bringing students together to apply those skills in a competitive, team-based environment.” 

With student participants from over 10 Maryland institutions in attendance, O’Leary’s goal of connecting students from across the state for a shared, experiential learning opportunity was a success.

Students in TU's Cyber Center work together on a computer

Why TU?

A designated National Center of Excellence, TU is one of only 21 institutions in the nation to receive the NSA/DHS Cyber Operations Designation.

Learn more.