UMGC Hosts Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition

Participating teams included James Madison University, Liberty University, Messiah University, Penn State University, Robert Morris University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech.

The University of Virginia won first place, with Liberty University placing second, and Penn State finishing third. The Energetics Technology Center, a Maryland-based nonprofit that supports U.S. national security, provided trophies to the winning teams.

Supporting a regional cyber ecosystem beyond the classroom

While MACCDC included a hands-on cyber defense exercise, the event also served as a platform for professional engagement and career exploration.

Cybersecurity technology company CrowdStrike hosted an employer engagement session following the first day of activities, offering student teams direct access to industry professionals. The session provided insight into cybersecurity roles, expectations, and trends, helping participants better understand how academic experiences translate into real-world careers.

These interactions reflect UMGC's broader approach to workforce-ready learning, leveraging experiential education, industry collaboration, and community partnerships designed to help students graduate with both technical skills and professional networks. More than 18,000 students at UMGC are enrolled in graduate and undergraduate cybersecurity programs.