The Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) Cyber Defense team has once again claimed the Missouri championship title at the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC). SEMO now holds 12 statewide titles in the CCDC, furthering its reputation as a powerhouse in cybersecurity.
The CCDC challenges students to manage and defend computer networks in a simulated business environment, testing their ability to detect, respond to and mitigate live cyber threats. Teams are evaluated on real-world cybersecurity tasks and adversarial attacks conducted by a team of industry professionals.
SEMO students reinforced their standing as Missouri’s top Cyber Defense team, competing against 21 teams on Saturday, February 15. Their dominance in every aspect of the competition showcased exceptional preparation and expertise. Dr. Mario Garcia, director of SEMO’s Institute for Cybersecurity, attributed their success to rigorous training at the University’s Charles Stamp Cyber Command Center.
“I am so proud of each one of our team members,” said Garcia. “The Charles Stamp Cyber Command Center presented an optimal training center for the team and their success is a testament to the high level of training and education SEMO provides.”
SEMO student and team captain Sam Brucker was instrumental in leading the group to victory.
“I’ve been competing in various sports and events for a long time. I can genuinely say that Saturday was one of the best moments I have ever experienced with any team,” said Brucker. “I am incredibly proud of our work this year leading up to Saturday. I am thrilled to continue SEMO’s reign as Missouri CCDC champions and advance to regionals at Purdue University Northwest.”
SEMO’s continued dominance in the Missouri Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition highlights the University’s commitment to excellence in cybersecurity education. The team now sets its sights on the regional competition, where they will face top teams from across the Midwest. As cybersecurity threats evolve, SEMO continues to lead the way in preparing students with the skills, innovation, and expertise needed to meet these challenges head-on.
About SEMO Cybersecurity
SEMO offers a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in cybersecurity. SEMO was the first university in the state of Missouri to offer a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, is accredited by ABET's Computer Accreditation Commission. The state-of-the-art Cyber Range and recently completed Stamp Cyber Command Center, industry-leading experts have helped the program be recognized by both the Department of Homeland Security and the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.