The University of Florida Student Infosec Team (UFSIT) has claimed first place in the Regional Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition showcasing elite cybersecurity skills.
Teams were tasked as consultants for a fictitious cruise ship company, “All Ports Tours.” Over eight hours, the team from UF’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering assessed the company’s network, identified vulnerabilities and security breaches, and prepared a detailed report indicating its findings and recommendations.
“We are very excited that we were able to represent UF in a cybersecurity competition like this,” said Cheryl Resch, instructional associate professor with UF’s Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE). “It’s a testament to the hard work of our members and strength of UFSIT.”
UFSIT trains year-round with hands-on, scenario-based exercises to mirror real world consulting. Team members specialize in Linux, Windows, Web or Cloud categories while also focusing on skills such as business impact, risk analysis and client communication.
The regional win qualifies UFSIT for the global CPTC finals in Rochester, New York, in January where they will compete against leading teams.
The win not only highlights the team’s dedication but underscores the value of hands-on cybersecurity experience for CISE students. Looking ahead to the global finals in January, UFSIT is sharpening technical skills, report writing and client-facing expertise to tackle more complex challenges.
The team also is analyzing its regional performance to identify opportunities for improvement. Members are refining technical skills and working to become faster and more precise at identifying network vulnerabilities. Through structured practice environments, centralized resources and weekly teaching sessions, UFSIT provides hands-on experience for students aspiring to enter the cybersecurity field.
Team members said their win drives more interest in the field of offensive security and encourages the broader community to explore the exciting challenges in cybersecurity.
Learn more about UFSIT and the Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition at ufsit.club and cp.tc/overview.