Key Takeaways
- A team of computer science students from Washington State University, called CyberCougs Crimson, earned a top ranking in the Cyber Power Rankings, competing against over 8,500 students from nearly 500 colleges across the country.
- The team placed 12th in the competition, significantly improving on their performance from the previous season, and demonstrating their skills in real-world cybersecurity tasks.
- The students participating in the competition learned important workforce skills in cybersecurity, including identifying hackers, auditing vulnerable websites, and recovering from ransomware attacks.
- The WSU student group is also currently in third place after the first round of cyber challenges in the 2026 National VICEROY Cyber Competition, and another WSU team won first place in the 2024 National VICEROY Competition.
- The university’s VICEROY Cybersecurity Education and Research (CySER) Institute and bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity program are providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field of cybersecurity.
Introduction to the Competition
A team of computer science students from Washington State University earned a top ranking in the Cyber Power Rankings, competing against more than 8,500 students from nearly 500 colleges across the country in the National Cyber League (NCL) Fall 2025 Competition. The WSU team, called CyberCougs Crimson, placed 12th in the competition, significantly improving on their performance from the previous season. This achievement is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication to developing their cybersecurity skills.
The Cyber Security Group and Team Performance
The WSU team, along with five other WSU teams that participated in the competition, are drawn from the Cyber Security Group, a student club that has about 50 members studying in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. The team’s advisor, Assefaw Gebremedhin, the Berry Family Distinguished Associate Professor in WSU’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, praised the students’ performance, stating that they have been "awesome in this prestigious national competition, topping what they did last season, which was already impressive." The team’s performance is a reflection of the skills and knowledge they have gained through their participation in the Cyber Security Group and the university’s cybersecurity programs.
The National Cyber League Competition
The prestigious cybersecurity skills competition, supported by Cyber Skyline and in partnership with the National Cyber League, is for college students in the U.S. The event includes real-world cybersecurity tasks that are encountered in industry, such as identifying hackers from data; auditing vulnerable websites; and recovering from ransomware attacks. Students who participate learn important workforce skills in cybersecurity, according to the program’s website. As part of the competition, the students receive a skills report on their real-world projects that can be shared with potential employers. This provides students with a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and build their portfolios.
Preparation and Performance
The six teams of students spent weeks preparing for the competition, including solving practice problems and organizing workshops to build skills. Out of 4,200 teams, the WSU students placed 23rd, 163rd, 205th, 355th, and 371st, earning the 12th spot in the league’s power ranking. The WSU student group is also currently in third place after the first round of cyber challenges in the 2026 National VICEROY Cyber Competition. Another WSU team from the same group won first place in the 2024 National VICEROY Competition. The team’s performance demonstrates their dedication and commitment to developing their cybersecurity skills.
Cybersecurity Education and Research at WSU
Many of the student team members participate in WSU’s VICEROY Cybersecurity Education and Research (CySER) Institute. The CySER program is one of the first three VICEROY Institutes established in the U.S. with the goal of accelerating the development of foundational expertise in critical cyber operational skills for future military and civilian leaders of the Armed Forces. The CySER program trains ROTC and DOD-skilled civilian workers in computer science and other majors in cyber basics, operations, or defense, offering bachelor’s degrees as well as specialized certificates. In recent years, WSU also instituted a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, and last year, the university was named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R) by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). These programs provide students with a comprehensive education in cybersecurity, preparing them for careers in the field.
Conclusion
The WSU team’s performance in the National Cyber League competition is a testament to the university’s strong cybersecurity programs and the dedication of its students. The team’s achievement demonstrates the importance of hands-on experience and practical skills in cybersecurity, and highlights the value of programs like the CySER Institute and the bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. As the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to grow, WSU is well-positioned to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this field.
