William & Mary students had the opportunity to enhance their cybersecurity skills this past summer through various initiatives aimed at strengthening the nation”s cyber capabilities.
This was not an ordinary game of capture the flag. Instead, Camden Good and Atticus Nafziger, both in the class of 2026, participated in a competitive event that tested their cybersecurity knowledge and skills. Ultimately, they ranked in the top ten among all participants, which included professionals from both the defense and private sectors. “This gave me a lot of confidence that I actually belonged to this group of soldiers and professionals,” Nafziger remarked.
The competition was part of Cyber Fortress, a two-week exercise organized by the Virginia National Guard held at the Virginia Beach State Military Reservation in August. Under the guidance of Computer Science Professor Matthew Chapman, Good and Nafziger were among three students from William & Mary participating with the intention of enhancing the security of the nation”s critical cyber infrastructure.
“I gained some technical experience, but most importantly I learned valuable lessons in adapting to new software and situations,” Good explained. “However, even more significant was learning how to collaborate effectively within an organized team towards a shared objective.”
The event united federal, state, and private sector representatives to practice responses to simulated cyber threats targeting state and national infrastructure, focusing on attack responses and post-attack evaluations. This marked the inaugural year of student involvement from William & Mary, reflecting the institution”s growing reputation in computer science and national security.
Good expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am so grateful and blessed that I was able to participate in such a high-level event. The support for students at William & Mary is outstanding.”
Alongside various agencies, the participating students engaged in practical learning aimed at safeguarding local utilities and fostering partnerships to strengthen cybersecurity measures. The first week comprised a series of classes covering various cybersecurity topics, while the second week involved team-based simulated cyber exercises.
Good found the most challenging aspect was quickly learning to navigate new systems and software during the second week. “This is generally a strength of mine, but it was still quite difficult, particularly given the complexity of the task,” he noted. “The most rewarding aspect was being able to help my team learn the software, as I was able to grasp its applications first.”
Chapman emphasized the exercise”s value in providing students exposure to working with diverse cybersecurity partners. He commended his students for rising to the challenge, with Good earning a Department of the Army Certificate of Achievement and finishing fifth overall in the cyber capture-the-flag competition. “Their technical skills and ability to integrate into seasoned cyber teams certainly raised a few eyebrows,” Chapman stated. “I can confidently assert that these William & Mary students are on track to become leaders in cybersecurity, especially at a time when cybersecurity concerns regarding national infrastructure are at their peak.”
Nafziger reflected on his experience, noting it solidified his ambition to pursue a career in cybersecurity. He encouraged other students to seize similar opportunities, stating, “Cyber Fortress is an incredible chance to rapidly advance your skills, identify gaps in your knowledge, and expand your network.”
Good concurred, asserting, “This experience, more than any other I”ve had thus far, provided me with real-world insights into teamwork and industry workflows. It is ideal for anyone seeking experience that employers value.”
While Cyber Fortress significantly impacted its participants, the contributions of William & Mary to national cybersecurity capabilities extended further this summer. In May, the university joined the U.S. Department of Defense”s VICEROY Scholars Program as its 14th Virtual Institute, alongside West Virginia University and Marshall University. The VICEROY initiative aims to connect U.S. cyber operators with academia to cultivate future military and civilian leaders through curricula, exercises, simulations, student organizations, and internships.
This summer, the first cohort of William & Mary VICEROY Scholars completed cyber internships with the U.S. Air Force”s Air Combat Command in Hampton, Virginia. Nine students from the mathematics, computer science, and data science departments participated, benefitting from funding and security clearances through VICEROY.
During her internship, Kathryn Hamilton, a master”s student in computer science, worked on detecting and tracking small Unmanned Aerial Systems. Another student, Brian Ding, developed automated data pipelines that process and store real-time weather and drone data. Two additional students engaged in internships through the Whole of Government Center of Excellence National Security Internship Program, supervised by Mansfield Professor of Business Chon Abraham.
Both VICEROY and National Security Internship Program opportunities are part of an Educational Partnership Agreement signed in January 2025 to enhance science, mathematics, and engineering educational and research collaborations between the Air Force and William & Mary.
As the academic year approached, the Reves Center for International Studies, the Military & Veteran Affairs Team, and the Whole of Government Center of Excellence hosted a delegation from the Virginia National Guard, the Finnish Air Force, and Jamk University of Applied Sciences to explore collaborative opportunities in cybersecurity. In September, Jamk University showcased its cyber range to William & Mary faculty, staff, and students.
Additionally, three students from William & Mary participated in a STEM day demonstration at the Bold Quest exercise in Blackstone, Virginia. The past academic year also saw the university”s inclusion in the U.S. Space Command”s Academic Engagement Enterprise and its designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Research by the National Security Agency. Furthermore, William & Mary established a new partnership with the Virginia Air National Guard to pursue joint activities in cybersecurity.
According to Kathleen T. Jabs, special assistant to the president for military and veteran affairs, “As a public university, William & Mary welcomes partnerships with senior military commands. We have a robust public service culture and incredibly talented students eager to tackle pressing global challenges.” These initiatives receive strong backing from the university”s Military & Veteran Affairs Team, the Whole of Government Center of Excellence, and funding from the National Security Internship Program.
Kathryn H. Floyd, director of the Whole of Government Center of Excellence, stated, “William & Mary is elevating applied learning, allowing students to contribute meaningfully to democracy in the field. Engagement in cyber defense transcends mere computer work; these opportunities equip students with the knowledge and skills required to lead in the future of national security.”
