Riverside City College Cyber Defense Center Hosts Comprehensive Cyber Day Event, Strengthening Regional Cybersecurity Awareness and Community Defense
NSA-Designated Center of Excellence Brings Together Students and Local Businesses for Cybersecurity Career Guidance and Cyber Risk Awareness
The Riverside City College Cyber Defense Center successfully hosted its inaugural Cyber Day, featuring two distinct cybersecurity events that brought together students from across the Inland Empire and local business leaders to advance regional cyber defense understanding.
The comprehensive day featured two separate but complementary sessions: expert-led career guidance for students, competitive cybersecurity challenges, and practical awareness presentations for local businesses designed to strengthen both emerging talent development and community understanding of cyber threats.
Expert-Led Career Exploration Launches Event
The morning session featured Connar McCasland from the University of Western Florida, who guided students ranging from high school to college level through exploring cybersecurity career options and strategic planning. McCasland's presentation covered certification pathways, experience development strategies, and focused career planning approaches for various cybersecurity specializations.
Student-Designed Competition Showcases Local Talent
Following lunch, visiting students participated in an intensive three-hour Capture the Flag (CTF) competition designed entirely by the RCC Cyber Defense Center student team. The competition demonstrated both the technical capabilities of local cybersecurity students and the competitive drive characteristic of IT and cybersecurity professionals.
"I was very impressed with the quality and content of the CTF," noted one participating student. "The challenges were based on current events, which made them particularly relevant and engaging."
Community Business Cybersecurity Awareness
The evening session provided local businesses with an insightful introduction to cybercrime topics and cyber risk exposure, featuring practical awareness guidance on basic cyber defense postures. Recognizing scheduling conflicts due to Memorial Day weekend activities and graduation ceremonies, the Cyber Defense Center recorded the session to ensure continued access for all community members.