By Christopher Bower//
The Cyber Blazers, Hood College’s cybersecurity team, are back for the fall semester and looking for new recruits.
The team competes in a variety of competitions, both locally and nationally, that range in difficulty. Some are designed for beginners, while others test more advanced skills.
Competitions can be individual or team-based depending on the challenges, which may involve tasks such as identifying locations from pixelated photos or uncovering hidden information within code.
Some of the tasks the club practices include simulated cyber attacks to reveal vulnerabilities, and using Linux operating systems.
School rankings are listed on a leaderboard by the National Cyber League, with colleges earning points based on performance. Easier challenges award fewer points, while more difficult ones provide higher scores.
To prepare, members sharpen their skills through lectures and practice challenges on non-competition days.
“Every meeting, we have a different topic to focus on and a different way to solve something,” said Sarah Setiawan, a member of the Cyber Blazers.
The group welcomes students from all backgrounds, whether they are experienced in computer science or brand new to the field.
“Just join the team,” said Carol Jim, assistant professor of computer science and information technology at Hood College and head of the Cyber Blazers. “Especially if you’re interested in learning more in a technical field and open to bettering yourself. If you love solving puzzles and problem-solving, that is perfect for the team, even without a technical background, because you can pick that up.”
Still, the club has mostly attracted graduate students from Hood’s cybersecurity master’s program. Many undergraduates remain unaware the team exists.
The Cyber Blazers are not considered an official student club because faculty help run the organization. As a result, it does not receive the same level of promotion as other student-run groups, making it harder for potential members to discover.
The Cyber Blazers meet every Tuesday at 5 p.m. for lectures and practice and continue to seek new and passionate members.
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