2026 Virtual Cyber Career Challenge Info Session 1

Virtual Cyber Career Challenge Info Session

Community college, technical college, and university students seeking a real-world, hands-on experience are encouraged to attend! Instructors leading the Virtual Cyber Security Career Challenge (VCCC) will explain this year's challenge format and walk through the application process. Students must attend one of the three information sessions to be eligible to apply.

About the Challenge

The challenge allows students to gain practical experience in cybersecurity workforce roles. Participants work in teams to configure, operate, protect, and defend a small network of machines in a virtual environment. Many past participants have used this experience to meet internship or co-op program requirements—students should confirm with their institution whether this opportunity qualifies.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must:

• Have completed introductory courses in networking and cybersecurity.
• Attend one information session (required)
• Apply by December 8
• Submit an instructor endorsement by December 8

Cyber Challenge Job Description

During the challenge, participants will: 

• Develop a project plan for an information system supporting a fictitious business.
• Use project management tools for communication and implementation.
• Operate a network of nine devices within specified requirements.
• Defend their network against penetration tests.
• Analyze and report on findings from penetration testing.
• Present results to industry experts.

Meeting Dates

Section one:
February 3 to April 21
10 to 12 pm Pacific time
(1 to 3 pm Eastern time)
Andrew Stone Instructor

Section two:
February 4 to April 22
2 to 4 pm Pacific Time
(5 to 7 pm Eastern time)
Dustin Bessette Instructor

For more details, visit the NCyTE web page at Virtual Cybersecurity Career Challenge. 

Instructors:

Andrew Stone
Assistant Academic Chair
Associate Professor - Engineering, Cybersecurity and Industrial Technology Suffolk County Community College
stonea@sunysuffolk.edu

Dustin Bessette
Instructor & Advisor
Mt. Hood Community College
dustin.bessette@mhcc.edu

Vincent Nestler
Senior Personnel, NCyTE Center
Associate Professor
California State University - San Bernardino
vnestler@csusb.edu

NCyTE is funded by National Science Foundation Grant #2054724