Southeast Missouri State University’s capstone cybersecurity class is making waves in a global embedded Capture the Flag (eCTF) competition. In their first-ever attempt, the team has remained in the top 10 rankings in a highly competitive fourteen-week-long challenge, organized by MITRE—one of the biggest names in the cybersecurity industry. Notably, the team is currently outperforming competitors from institutions like MIT and Purdue, showcasing the strength and dedication of SEMO’s cybersecurity students. The competition is currently in its seventh week.
An embedded Capture the Flag (eCTF) competition challenges teams to complete hidden security tasks and protect their own solutions while attacking those of their competitors. This year’s competition features teams from 116 institutions, each developing and testing cybersecurity solutions related to Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smart home technology and industrial automation.
The SEMO team’s remarkable performance stems from its strong cybersecurity curriculum, led by Dr. George Li, associate professor of computer science at SEMO, who teaches the capstone course CS653. The competition aligns with his research in IoT security, providing students with real-world applications of their coursework.
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“Students approached me about competing, and I believed they could win,” said Dr. Li. “Their preparation over the winter and hands-on experience with IoT devices has been instrumental in their success.”
The SEMO team consists of 20 students, including team captains and cybersecurity master’s degree students, Sartaj Chowdhury and Uzair Hussain. Sartaj emphasized the competition’s comprehensive nature.
“We are learning teamwork, team management, hardware, software, attack, defense, and solving real-world problems,” Chowdhury said. “It’s the best of both worlds. We’re learning the technical skills required in embedded systems security, along with soft skills that we’ll need no matter where we work.”
The team’s success has confirmed the strength of SEMO’s cybersecurity program and its emphasis on IoT security. The program’s access to an IoT and robotics lab—equipped with robotic arms, robotic vehicles, smart home applications and robotic farm equipment that can detect soil moisture levels—has given students hands-on experience crucial for the competition.
SEMO’s computer science programs equip students with the practical experience needed for successful careers. Competitions like eCTF and involvement in student organizations such as the Cyber Defense Team, the Hacking Guild, and the Artificial Intelligence Club help students build the technical skills and industry knowledge required to secure jobs at top cybersecurity firms, including CrowdStrike, Secureworks and MITRE. Chowdhury has already worked on IoT-based automation for greenhouses during an internship, highlighted how participation in eCTF builds technical and soft skills, from teamwork to project management.
Uzair Hussain, one of team captains, expressed that although winning the competition would be a historic achievement, the SEMO team is already celebrating their success.
“This is so great for students,” Hussain said. “We're aiming to win this competition, but even if we don’t end up winning, we’ll all be able to add a large-scale industry project to our resumes.”
SEMO’s cybersecurity students are making a name for themselves, showing they belong among the world’s top competitors.