Daytona State Places Third in Second Annual Statewide Cybersecurity Competition

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. (November 19, 2024) – Daytona State’s FalconSec team secured third place in a tightly contested second annual statewide college cybersecurity competition. The Florida College System held the Cybersecurity Competition in partnership with the Florida Department of Education and Tallahassee State College.

During the competition, teams from 14 state colleges demonstrated their expertise in detecting and mitigating various cyberthreats using a safe cyber environment. Working in teams, students navigated real-world scenarios, showcasing their skills and ability while gaining experience for challenges they will face in their careers.

"This is an outstanding achievement by the FalconSec team and Daytona State College," said DSC President Tom LoBasso. "Our cybersecurity program is among the most rigorous and highly respected in the state, and this result is a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of our students and faculty.” 

The team was comprised of four students in DSC’s Associate of Science in Networking Services Technology program and the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (with cybersecurity concentration) program. The team included Brian McGrath and Jess Harness, who are pursuing Associate of Science degrees in Networking Services Technology, Arthur Fredsall who is pursuing an Associates of Arts degree, and Caleb Pintello, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree. 

The group elected McGrath to serve as team captain. The team was managed by Professor Timothy Pintello and coached by Pintello and fellow faculty member Patrick Vilkinofsky.

“It is testament to their hard work and expertise,” said Anindya Paul, Chair of the School of Computer Science. “They trained in-person at the College and online with each other to prepare for this competition. Their hard work and dedication are to be commended.” 

Each student participant will receive a cyber range certification provided by Global Business Solutions, Inc. The winning teams were selected based on an established ranking system for their ability to successfully manage, operate and defend network infrastructures of several fictitious organizations in the shortest amount of time. DSC’s strong performance was accompanied by Northwest Florida State College and Palm Beach State College who took first and second place, respectively. The event was made possible through the support of the Florida Department of Education, the Florida College System Foundation, Cyber Florida, Bill Cramer Chevrolet, and Tallahassee State College. 

Daytona State offers an Advanced Technical Certificate in Cybersecurity and Cyberforensics that provides students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree with an understanding of technical and management aspects of computer and network security and forensics using exposition of theory, laws, and technical forensic and security tools and techniques. Students build their skills via hands-on projects where they are required to combine theory, legal issues and technical knowledge to solve real-world problems. The program incorporates innovative, tested methods of instruction with lab work to encourage student learning and success. 

Daytona State created The Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense in 2013 through a grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program. Since its inception, the Center – housed in DSC’s Advanced Technology College – has focused on providing training in the critical areas of cybersecurity and cyberforensics. In 2016 the Center was designated as a National Center for Academic Excellence for Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency/Central Security Service.

In January 2023, the National Security Agency redesignated Daytona State College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2028. 

To learn more about DSC’s Cybersecurity and Cyberforensics programs, visit here.

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Offering more than 100 certificates, associate and bachelor’s degree programs, Daytona State College is the leader in education and workforce training needs of Volusia and Flagler counties and beyond. The College enrolls approximately 23,000 students a year at its seven campuses, with graduates serving in critical fields including healthcare, emergency services and public safety, business, education, hospitality, engineering, project management, accounting, computer science, digital media, and more.

Daytona State has been recognized as a leader in higher education numerous times. U.S. News & World Report ranks the College among the Top Tier Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. The U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center ranks DSC among the top 50 most affordable public four-year institutions in the country, with less than half the tuition of the national average. And U.S. News & World Report has ranked DSC among its Top Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans multiple times.