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IT students test cybersecurity skills in statewide defense competition

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Pictured, left to right, are 2026 M State/MSUM Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition team members Tim Preuss (M State IT/Cybersecurity Faculty), Abdul Kamara, Cherubin Mupeta, Volonte Kyubwa, Ugnius Bieliunas, Donovan Morse, Shaun Fox, James Zook and Nickolas Carter-Fischer
Pictured, left to right, are 2026 M State/MSUM Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition team members Tim Preuss (M State IT/Cybersecurity Faculty), Abdul Kamara, Cherubin Mupeta, Volonte Kyubwa, Ugnius Bieliunas, Donovan Morse, Shaun Fox, James Zook and Nickolas Carter-Fischer

 

Information Technology students from M State teamed up with students from Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) to compete in the 2026 Minnesota State Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, held Jan. 31 in Alexandria. 

Eight teams representing 10 higher education institutions participated in the full-day event, which placed students in a controlled, virtual simulation of a commercial network environment. Teams assumed responsibility for administering and protecting the network while maintaining critical services. 

Throughout the competition, teams defended their systems against cybersecurity attacks launched by a live “Red Team” of hackers. Participants also responded to simulated communications from management, requiring them to balance technical problem-solving with real-world decision-making. Faculty members and industry professionals served as advisors, sponsors and hackers, giving students the opportunity to test their skills against experienced opponents. 

M State team members included Nickolas Carter-Fischer, Shaun Fox, Abdul Kamara, Volonte Kyubwa and Cherubin Mupeta. MSUM team members were Ugnius Bieliunas, Donovan Morse and James Zook.

Team members said the competition allowed them to apply classroom theories in a realistic setting, giving them a deeper appreciation for their education and prompting new questions to bring back to class. The team plans to compete again next year.

St. Cloud State University took first place and will advance to the next round of competition, with a chance to compete at the national level in Texas this April. Dunwoody College of Technology and Metro State University claimed second and third place, respectively. 

The competition is organized annually by the Minnesota State IT Center of Excellence (ITCOE) with support from industry co-sponsors. According to a press release from the ITCOE, student participants in the event have an estimated 95% job placement rate, highlighting the strong career opportunities available to graduates.

For more information about the Cybersecurity program at M State, visit the Cybersecurity program page.