Students Strengthen Their Cyber Fitness in ‘Cyber Gym’ Research Center I n early 2024, Embry-Riddle and CBSI unveiled the Cyber Gym Makerspace, which offers students the ability to further develop their skills through undergraduate and graduate research projects. “The Cyber Gym enables project-based learning,
Cybersecurity students have also been featured at national forums, including the Aviation Cyber Initiative (ACI) Cyber Rodeo — a collaborative effort between the United States Departments of Homeland Security, Defense and Transportation. “The Cyber Gym provides a space to develop experience with cyber-physical interactions in both a defensive and an offensive security perspective,” said CIS undergraduate student Maxwell Werner, who co-led the cyber CTF competition. “The ability to explore interests in cyber intelligence and security — with the space, tools, resources and support available here — has changed my experience at Embry-Riddle.” According to Dr. Tom Drape, students with experience in the Cyber Gym Makerspace have a clear competitive advantage in the job market after graduation. “The Cyber Gym is a testament to Embry-Riddle’s unwavering commitment to student outcomes,” said Drape. “The success they achieve — such as placement in prestigious organizations like the Department of Defense, Collins Aerospace, Sandia National Labs and others — showcase the Cyber Gym’s key role in ensuring the readiness of our graduates for distinguished careers.”
where students can experiment with different approaches and develop tangible solutions,” said Dr. Krishna Sampigethaya. “The facility combines the hands-on nature of traditional makerspaces with a focus on cyber education.” As a hands-on, “do-it-yourself’ laboratory open to all cybersecurity students, the Cyber Gym serves as a bridge connecting them to the college’s industry partners, Sampigethaya added. “The industry gets a firsthand look at the caliber of talent emerging from the university’s programs,” said Dr. Sampigethaya. “Hence, the Cyber Gym becomes a catalyst for building strong connections between the academic realm and the demands of the industry.” According to statista.com, the global cybersecurity market is expected to reach $273 billion by 2028, including revenue generated from security services as well as cyber solutions to match worldwide cybersecurity threats. This much growth means a wealth of opportunity available for professionals entering the field, and Embry-Riddle’s graduates are trained to face the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry and become leaders within it. “The Cyber Gym fosters innovation and creativity,” said Dr. Sampigethaya. “The skills students acquire ensure that graduates are equipped with the capabilities demanded by employers.” Impacting the Student Experience In its first year, the Cyber Gym has played a prominent role in numerous student-led initiatives. The Aviation Cyber Capture-the-Flag competition, for instance, featured an array of immersive cyber challenges set within the context of aviation. Developed by Embry-Riddle students under faculty mentorship, the project was largely developed in the Cyber Gym facility before being showcased at the DEF CON security conference in August.
s Learn more about our CTF competitions on the next page.
This story was originally written by Keaton Ziem with Embry-Riddle’s News Team.
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