Pace Cybersecurity Students Test Their Skills in Regional Cyber Defense Competition

Students from Pace University's Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems recently traveled to Lowell, Massachusetts, to compete in the Northeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (NECCDC), where they put their cybersecurity skills to the test against some of the region's top collegiate teams.

Part of the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, NECCDC brings together teams from colleges and universities across the Northeast to defend enterprise networks against a professional Red Team of penetration testers and ethical hackers. During the competition, each school’s eight-person Blue Team is tasked with protecting critical systems and services while responding to simulated cyberattacks that mirror the challenges faced by today's cybersecurity professionals.

This immersive experience isn't just a competition; it equips [students] for wherever their cybersecurity journey takes them.

For Seidenberg students, the competition offered an opportunity to put months of preparation into practice. This year's team competed against nine other colleges and universities from across the region, continuing Pace's streak of qualifying for the regional competition for the fourth consecutive year.

"When our students step into the Blue Team room for the NECCDC competition, they transform into cyber defenders," said Seidenberg cybersecurity professor Joe Acampora. "The pressure they feel, the trust they share, and the techniques they master here are nothing short of what professionals in the field face on their craziest days. This immersive experience isn't just a competition; it equips them for wherever their cybersecurity journey takes them."

Acampora emphasized that he is especially proud of the team's dedication and preparation. "I am proud to coach such a dedicated team—students who have learned and trained through busy semesters to qualify for our regional competition four consecutive years," he said.

This competition gave me real-world experience in cybersecurity that goes far beyond the classroom.

For Seidenberg student Nicolas Rossi, competing in NECCDC provided an opportunity to build confidence while experiencing cybersecurity in a way that extends beyond the classroom.

"During my first NECCDC, I was excited yet nervous about whether I truly knew what I was doing," Rossi said. "With the support of my team and the experience from qualifiers, I quickly learned what to look for and how to prepare. Regionals were even more intense, but also more rewarding."

He added that the competition helped prepare him for a future career in cybersecurity. "This competition gave me real-world experience in cybersecurity that goes far beyond the classroom. Programs like NECCDC are extremely valuable for preparing students to enter the cybersecurity workforce, and I am very excited to compete again next year."

Returning competitor Daisy Molina said the experience strengthened her technical knowledge, as well as the communication and teamwork skills that cybersecurity professionals rely on every day.

"This being my second in NECCDC I am confident in saying that I am extremely glad I am part of the team," Molina said. "It has given me the opportunity to apply real world skills and learn how to work in a team. Not only is NECCDC great for growing your technical skills but it builds the soft skills of communication and collaboration."

Seidenberg's continued participation in competitions like NECCDC reflects the school's broader commitment to preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, Seidenberg pairs nationally recognized academic programs with hands-on experiences like NECCDC and training in its state-of-the-art cyber range, where students can safely practice defending networks against real-world cyber threats. Together, these opportunities prepare graduates with the technical expertise and practical experience needed to succeed in an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape.