News & Events

Darnell Washington, Sr. Advisor of Training for the National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF) helps students to understand & embrace smart cyber practices.

The NCF hosted a table at the 2023 MD STEM Festival Opening Ceremony - sharing resources for participants and giving them an opportunity to play our latest online cybersecurity game.

Maryland STEM Festival Podcast Features Rick Williams - a Developer of the NCF Amanita Whitehat Online Game Series. Plus join the NCF at the kick-off of the 2023 MD STEM Festival. This year's theme - STEM-ertainment!

Listen to NCF President & CEO Laura Nelson's interview for Federal News Network podcast - "Security Clearance Insecurity."

SecureXperts-NCF Donation to MISI Honors the Memory of Dr. Scott R. Dade

MISI’s #HackTheBuilding events are designed to empower cyber war fighters to defend our most critical infrastructures. The NCF is proud to be a sponsor for the Hack the Building 2.0: Hospital Edition event, taking place September 18-22, 2023.

In June 2023 - the Foundation Board welcomed new members Teresa Shea and Grant Verstandig.

The inaugural "Cyber Saturday" took place on 10 June 2023 and provided approximately 60 youth and their parents/guardians with opportunities to explore educational and engaging, cyber-related activities. 

Cryptographers Darnell Washington and Whitfield Diffie got a chance to connect and chat at the 2023 NCF General Membership Meeting & Annual Symposium in Columbia, MD.

NCF Education Director Alisha Jordan attended the signing of MD SB801 - designed to provide more support for cyber in Maryland.

The NCF will raffle off steganography illustrations by artist Don Gauger at upcoming NCF events and programs.

In March 2023, NCF President and CEO Laura Nelson testified in support of Maryland Cybersecurity Bills.

NCF featured in March 2023 Tech & Learning article with quotes from NCF Education Director Dr. Alisha Jordan.

Beta launch of the new Amanita Whitehat game - coming Feb 3rd. Test out the new cyber game as American Cyber-Warrior Amanita Whitehat and give us your invaluable feedback. Full release scheduled for March.

The NCF is pleased to report that our "How to be Cyber Safe & Savvy" booklet for adults is featured in the February 2023 issue of Kiplinger's Magazine.

NCF staffer Larry Castro provides an encouraging progress update about the NSA's effort to build a new facility for the Museum - the Education & Innovation Center.

The NCF welcomes Dr. Alisha Jordan as the new Director of Education.

Outgoing NCF Director of Education Mark Loepker shares his parting thoughts upon his retirement.

Learn more about the recently re-opened National Cryptologic Museum.

The NCF is pleased to announce we have received a major charitable contribution of $3 million from the Verstandig Family Foundation to support, sustain, and expand K-12 cybersecurity education and further the goal of a public-private partnership between the NCF and National Security Agency (NSA).

An NCF Interview with Bill Nye - Reflections of his Codebreaker Mom.

Learn about the new USPS stamp honoring Women Cryptologists of WWII - to be released on 18 Oct at the Museum. The artwork for the stamp includes characters from the Purple code and a WAVES poster.

The NCF is pleased to announce the availability of a new Data Care booklet for adults - "Cyber Safe + Savvy." Check it out for yourself and share with friends!

In May 2022, the NCF co-hosted an Education Expo for educators attending NSA's GenCyber Spring Meeting in Virginia.

The NCF's Darnell Washington gave a presentation at the 2022 Cryptologic History Symposium titled, "The Sub Detection Program you probably didn’t hear about.”

On May 12th NCF President & CEO, Laura Nelson, represented the Foundation at the bill signing ceremony for several key cybersecurity bills passed by the Maryland General Assembly and signed by MD Governor Larry Hogan.

Congratulations to the 2022 Maryland History Day recipients of the NCF Special Awards - Eugene J. Becker Award and Major Gen. John E. Morrison Award.

In March 2022, the NCF sponsored the President's Reception at the Maryland School Counselor Association Conference. Staff members spoke at the program and manned an exhibit table. The event offered the Foundation invaluable opportunities to introduce counselors to the NCF's cyber education program and resources.

NCF President & CEO Laura Nelson and NCF Senior Advisor for Training Darnell Washington represented the National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF) at a SXSW-HBCU event at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas on March 11th.

In early 2022, NCF staff members, including NCF CEO Laura Nelson testified before Maryland Senate Committees regarding issues such as cybersecurity education, scholarships, and cyber bullying.

Check out the video or podcast version of AFIO Now's interview with James Gosler.

Great News! The NCF, a finalist in the Changemaker Challenge for Anne Arundel County, MD, received one of the United Way's $15k awards! - Nov 2021

NSA Announces New Partnership with NCF to advance cybersecurity education and build the future cyber workforce.

In November 2021, the National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF) announced the finalization of a report regarding the 2021 NCF Cybersecurity Education Survey for Maryland Public High Schools.

National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy will offer a 12-credit hour graduate certificate to high school teachers - teachers can apply to receive more information now.

Check out Teach Cyber's Back to School Edition of "The Teach Cyber Byte" newsletter

Learn more about our new cybersecurity or "Data Care" resource for middle school teachers, students, and parents. Plus see how you can help get more booklets into schools that need them.

The NCF and Teach Cyber recognize cyber educators for pilot testing and congratulate the educator scholarship winners.

Check out the May 27th Issue of Start Engineering's newsletter. We are excited to be partnering with Start Engineering in an education initiative benefiting middle school students.

The National Cryptologic Foundation is thrilled to report we have been selected by the Gula Tech Foundation as the third place recipient of their Data Care Grant.

NCF President/CEO enjoyed her talk with Iron Butterfly - a podcast that tells the stories of women in the IC. Check out Laura's episode (5/11/2021) "Crypto Raven" today!

Learn about the NSA-NCF renewed partnership. "Progress Through Partnership" is a shared vision to bolster understanding of the 21st century cyber landscape and facilitate collaboration across its multi-sector stakeholders.

The NCF is excited to announce the opportunity for educators to apply for Summer 2021 scholarships to apply toward Teach Cyber cybersecurity workshops. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2021.

The Bank of England has unveiled the new £50 note which features Bletchley Park codebreaker, Alan Turing.
Stay tuned to Bletchley Park's website for more about #TheNew50 and Turing’s life and work. The note enters circulation on 23 June 2021 - Turing’s birthday. You can also watch a short film featuring Turing’s nephew, and former Bletchley Park Trustee, Sir Dermot Turing, as he discusses his uncle’s work and legacy.

In an article for "The Conversation," Terry L. Thompson explores the SolarWinds hack and some of the possible solutions for going forward....

Learn about some of the exciting NCMF Education Program initiatives underway for engaging middle school students. From designing cybersecurity gaming kiosks to a mobile Cybersecurity Escape Room and more....

Learn about the significant progress made by NCMF & partner Teach Cyber in providing coherent and relevant high school cybersecurity curriculum guidelines and course materials to educators and students.

Thank you to Terry L. Thompson for providing this excellent review of "The Fifth Domain: Defending Our Country, Our Companies, and Ourselves in the Age of Cyber Threats," by Richard A. Clarke and Robert K. Knake

14 Jan 2021 - The National Security Agency released a cybersecurity product, “Adopting Encrypted DNS in Enterprise Environments,” Thursday explaining the benefits and risks of adopting the encrypted domain name system (DNS) protocol, DNS over HTTPs (DoH), in enterprise environments. The release provides solutions for secure implementation based on enterprise network needs.

Released by the Naval War College in Jan 2021, “Ten Years In: Implementing: Strategic Approaches to Cyberspace" represents a look beyond theories and analogies to examine the challenges of strategy implementation. In the essays, practitioners who are building cyberspace forces at-scale join scholars who study power and force in this new domain to collectively offer a unique perspective on the evolution and future of cyber strategy and operations. Forward signed by Gen Paul M. Nakasone (US Army)