CyberTech: Forging the Next Generation of Cyber Leaders at West Point

Serving as both Assistant Cadet-in-Charge (ACIC) and Cadet-in-Charge (CIC) of CyberTech, a cadet-run club within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, I’ve learned more about leadership than I ever expected. This club thrives not because of its budget or size, but because of its people: those who are persistent, ambitious, and endlessly curious. CyberTech taught me the value of peer mentorship, where Cadets challenge and support one another in meaningful ways. It showed me that the most impactful learning often happens through collaboration, and that curiosity and humility drive real growth. 

CyberTech, formerly known as the “Special Interest Group for Security, Audit, and Control” (SIGSAC), has a long and storied legacy at the United States Military Academy. Founded in 2001 through the efforts of COL Dan Ragsdale and MAJ Greg Conti, the group began with a simple but powerful idea: create a space for Cadets to explore cybersecurity beyond the classroom.  Initially inspired by a growing interest in the Information Technology Operations Center, the club began with informal book discussions on hacking, hands-on technical meetups, and animated late-night conversations in Thayer Hall Room 115. Over two decades later, CyberTech continues to thrive. Its mission is modernized, yet still grounded in the same curiosity, camaraderie, and pioneering spirit characterized by its founders. 

Today, CyberTech meets weekly and alternates between hands-on technical lessons and interviews with industry leaders and government experts. The club complements the academic rigor of the Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS) department curriculum by offering Cadets a space to apply their knowledge, explore new domains, and engage in real-world problem-solving. Whether it’s binary exploitation, malware analysis, or AI and policy discussions, each meeting is an opportunity to build confident and capable cyber professionals.

CyberTech also works closely with the Cyber Team, enabling Cadets to attend conferences such as ShmooCon and to compete in Capture the Flag (CTF) events like PicoCTF, DownUnderCTF, NSA Codebreakers, and the National Cyber League (NCL). Each competition is more than a technical challenge, it's a proving ground where Cadets develop the confidence, composure, and critical thinking they’ll need as future Army cyber leaders. These experiences prepare them to operate and lead in today’s contested and complex information environments. Looking ahead, events such as HammerCon represent exciting opportunities for CyberTech to connect with industry professionals, explore emerging topics, and inspire Cadets as they prepare for future roles in the cyber workforce.

CyberTech bridges the gap between academic coursework at West Point and real-world application, while fostering a sense of community among Cadets. By combining academic rigor with experiential learning and peer mentorship, it equips future officers with both the technical skills and leadership mindset required in today’s contested information environments. While similar clubs exist within ROTC units and other service academies, CyberTech demonstrates how structured mentorship, consistent engagement, and a strong community culture can elevate such programs. As the need for cyber-capable leaders continues to grow, expanding and reinforcing these communities across all commissioning sources can help cultivate the next generation of technically proficient and operationally ready officers. 

Whether Cadets are troubleshooting network cables or gathering before a Capture the Flag event in Thayer Hall, the group fosters strong peer connections and mutual support. Rather than gatekeeping knowledge, CyberTech promotes inclusive learning and development. Members mentor one another, support newcomers, and celebrate individual growth at all levels. Even the team’s custom challenge coin serves as a meaningful reminder of the shared commitment to professional excellence and team cohesion. 

As Jeff Moss, founder of Black Hat and DEFCON,  shared at the 2025 Joint Service Academy Cybersecurity Summit, sometimes all it takes is a beer and good conversation to spark something great. While we don’t serve beer, we do serve party pizzas! It’s in these informal spaces that some of the best connections and ideas are born. More importantly, we create a space where Cadets of all classes feel valued. I’ve seen freshmen, referred to as “Plebes” lead a lesson on Hyper Complex Numbers, while upperclassmen have taught topics ranging from blockchain technology to web application security and even wire crimping. 

We’ve hosted expert-led sessions on topics ranging from physical red teaming with industry leaders Patrick Hynds (CEO of Pulsar Security) and Duane LaFlotte (CTO of Pulsar Security), to ARM binary exploitation with Dr. TJ O’Connor (cybersecurity expert and former Army officer), to a quantum computing primer led again by Patrick Hynds,  which drew over 150 attendees. In addition, we’ve conducted interviews with senior military leaders such as Brigadier General (R) Jen Buckner, Seargeant Major (R) Amanda Draeger, and officers from U.S. Special Operations Command. These sessions give Cadets a rare opportunity to ask bold questions, gain firsthand insight, and engage directly with operational realities of the cyber domain.

Even before I became a Cadet, CyberTech shaped my path. As a Cadet Candidate at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS), I reached out to a faculty member in the EECS department to ask about cyber opportunities at West Point. Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Blaine, Cyber Research Center director at the time, responded with an opportunity to participate in a CTF. That spark led me to invite three Cadet Candidates to compete in the NCL Team Game in 2023. We placed 86th out of 3,593 teams and two of those individuals are now on the Cyber Team and thriving. CyberTech doesn’t wait for Cadets to arrive; it meets them at the start of their journey, cultivates their potential early, and provides a foundation that helps them stand out from day one. As a member of the Cadet Ambassadors Program (CAP), I now have the privilege of sharing these stories with prospective applicants across the country and helping to demystify common misconceptions about West Point.

CyberTech is a launchpad not only for EECS majors, but for any Cadet who wants to be part of something bigger. It also serves as a primer for the Cyber Team, which represents West Point in a range of cybersecurity competitions, both technical and policy focused. Our goal is to sustain and grow this force multiplier so that one day, a former CyberTech member might command U.S. Cyber Command, defend our nation’s critical infrastructure, or pioneer the next leap in cyber deterrence.

Reflecting on my five years in CyberTech, the most meaningful moments weren’t the high-profile competitions; they were the people. The Cadets who carved time out of packed schedules to stay late, ask questions, and help each other grow. The plebes who spent an entire weekend learning how to compete in their first CTF. The upperclassman who rewrote a lesson just to make it more accessible for others. Watching members step into unexpected opportunities and rise to meet them: that’s what made it all worth it.

As CDT Oliver Di Nallo once put it: “The club for cadets who can’t hack good and want to learn to do other stuff good too.” That’s the spirit we embrace: humble, hungry, and unafraid to try. 

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