CyberHerd
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MEET THE HERD
USF CyberHerd was formed in Fall 2023 by the College of Engineering's Department of Computer Science & Engineering, with funding from Cyber Florida (the Florida Center for Cybersecurity), to train students to compete in national-level cybersecurity competitions -- and win!
The team is scoring major victories, taking first place in the 2024 NCAE Cyber Games SE Regional and taking home 5th out of 103 teams in the 2023 Department of Energy CyberForce Competition, beating teams from Penn State, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Virginia Tech.
CyberHerd's purpose is to improve USF's competitiveness in the broad field of cybersecurity, to improve visibility of the university and the College of Engineering's Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and to highlight USF's ongoing investments in cybersecurity education.
LEADERSHIP
Team Captain
Waseem Albaba
Team roster:
Fagan Afandiyev
Yousef Blassy
Cameron Brauner
Enes "EJ" Bulut
Jacob Cain
John "Jack" Trigg
Jacob Hammargren
Iris Little
Logan Mastin
Jason Rodriguez
Nevin Southammavong
Brandon Gonzalez
John "Jack" Wansboro
UPCOMING COMPETITIONS
NEWS
Any given Sunday: CyberHerd wins NCAE Cyber Games SE Regional while maintaining grueling practice schedule
February 26, 2024 NCAE may be considered an entry-level contest by some, but it’s definitely not for beginners. Coach Marbin Revilla says, “The challenges are complex to solve and not only require the technical skills to succeed, but great coordination and teamwork.”
USF CyberHerd takes 5th place at CyberForce 2023
November 4, 2023 The USF CyberHerd finished 5th place among 108 teams at the Department of Energy’s CyberForce 2023 competition, held on November 3 to 4, 2023, in St. Charles, Illinois. The CyberHerd team soared above 103 teams, including from Penn State, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Virginia Tech. See the full story here!
WHY JOIN CYBERHERD?
Students get the chance to travel to competitions world wide and compete against Ivy League Schools in challenging competitions. They get a rare opportunity to network with industry professionals who are sponsoring the events, and the opportunity to prove that USF is the best of the best in cybersecurity!
CyberHerd members get specialized coaching and instruction from CSE faculty, recognition of their abilities, and all-expenses-paid travel. You will have the chance to put your great skills in a highly competitive, collaborative, and rewarding team environment.
Joining the USF CyberHerd team is an excellent chance to gain valuable real-world experience, showcase your talent, and contribute to the reputation of the University of South Florida. Don't miss this opportunity to take your cybersecurity skills to the next level!
CyberHerd is looking for ambitious and competitive students interested in cybersecurity.
We are currently prioritizing students who are either currently skilled or looking to acquire skills in the following areas:
- Capture the Flag Challenges
- Reverse-Engineering
- Programming
- Cryptography
- Documentation and Professional Writing
APPLY TO JOIN
Minimum Qualifications
- USF undergraduate during spring 2024
- Exceptionally strong cybersecurity skills
- Good GPA
- Demonstrated coursework in cybersecurity
- Solid programming foundations
- Good interpersonal and teamwork skills
Desired Qualifications
- Possession of cybersecurity certifications
- Prior cybersecurity competition experience
- Experience with PowerShell, C#, C++, Go, Assembly, and Python
- Applied Cryptography Skills
- Graduation date beyond Fall 2024
If you meet the above qualifications and are interested in joining the CyberHerd Team, we invite you to submit your detailed CV to Professor Marbin Pazos-Revilla (marbin@usf.edu) for consideration. Please include your expected graduation date in the CV, and the scores of CTF platforms if you have any. Also please list relevant cybersecurity courses you have taken in college.
Make your CV stand out
PRO TIP!
When applicapable, highlight the qualificaiton criteria listed above where it appears on your CV or resume.
The selection process will be carried out by a committee of cybersecurity faculty members who will carefully evaluate each candidate's qualifications and experiences. If selected, you will have the opportunity to work closely with the committee in further preparations and training for upcoming competitions. Selected candidates will be expected to dedicate an average of 4 hours per week to in-person training and will be expected to travel for competitions. CyberHerd will cover all allowable travel and registration costs, as per USF policies. Additionally, support for infrastructure and training, deemed relevant for competitions, will be made available.
CONTACT US
Marbin Pazos-Revilla | Email | 813-974-5043
CyberHerd Victories
Spring 2024
- Cyber Sentinel Skills Challenge - May 2024 - 1st Place
- SE CCDC - March 2024 - 2nd Place
INVEST IN THE HERD
CyberHerd actively pursues partnerships with the cybersecurity industry to enrich the student experience and guide their development, to meet the evolving workforce needs of this diverse and challenging field. Your involvement can help your company as you seek to hire the best and brightest students and graduates. The CyberHerd is a proving ground for cybersecurity expertise and professionalism.
Learn more about our Computing Partners Program here.
Learn how USF CSE benefits your business. Contact:
Professor & Associate Chair of Undergraduate Affairs
813-974-4761
