Cyber Warriors continue decade of dominance with 10th straight state title

Indiana Tech completed a decade of collegiate cyber defense dominance Saturday when its Cyber Warriors, the university’s cyber defense team, won their 10th straight Indiana Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.

Indiana Tech has been the state’s top cyber defense team since Feb. 7, 2015—an unprecedented run that began 3,278 days (and counting) ago. It was also the 17th time overall the Cyber Warriors won the competition.

“It is truly remarkable how the Cyber Warriors are able to prepare for and succeed at this level of competition every single year,” said Indiana Tech President Dr. Karl W. Einolf. “I am just so proud of the hard work and commitment to excellence everyone in this program demonstrates.”

Each year, competing cybersecurity teams work to combat attempted network security breaches and related challenges that test their problem-solving, technical abilities and teamwork at every turn. During this year’s competition, Indiana Tech beat out tough competition from skilled collegiate teams across Indiana. The Cyber Warriors held off second-place Purdue University-West Lafayette and third-place Rose-Hulman University to earn the title.

Members of this year’s Cyber Warriors team include Peter Allison, Garrett Bates, Riley Boroff, Timothy Bukowski, Nick Caulk, Hunter Clements, Zach Hampton, Nia Iott, Zak King, Hayden LaFlech, Tristan Lybarger, Jeremy MacRoberts, Bryce Murphy, Myles Nieman, Martin Quintana, Sam Regelbrugge and  John Rudolph. The team is coached by Matt Hansen, an Indiana Tech alum who was a championship-winning Cyber Warrior himself during his time as a Tech student.

Indiana Tech’s Cyber Warriors now move on to the Midwest Regional CCDC on March 15 and 16, to face fellow state champions from Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and the winner of a wildcard round in an attempt to qualify for the national competition.

For five years running, every member of the Cyber Warriors has secured a job in their career field prior to graduating. Indiana Tech has also established a growing national reputation as a producer of top talent in the cybersecurity field, having recently been recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

Learn more about Indiana Tech’s cybersecurity program and the Cyber Warriors at academics.indianatech.edu/colleges/cyber-center.