Events

Escape Room Winners - NCF Cyber Saturday January 2025

The National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF) hosted its 3rd Cyber Saturday event on January 18, 2025, at the Technological Advancement Center (TAC) in Columbia, MD. This exciting event was made possible through the sponsorship of Northrop Grumman and partnerships with TAC, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), NiSUS, Loyola Blakefield, and Howard Community College, ensuring an enriching day for all attendees.

Cyber Saturday registered 137 students, welcoming over 80 rising 5th to 10th graders and their parents for a day of engaging learning and exploration. The event featured hands-on activities designed to teach students about cybersecurity, data care, and internet safety. Popular sessions included MetaCTF Challenges, a Phishing Workshop, and a custom-designed Escape Room. Find a gallery of photos below on this page and a link to more photos in a Shutterfly album.

The day began with a warm welcome from Laura Nelson, NCF President and CEO, who provided an overview of the schedule and the importance of cybersecurity education. Laura was followed by NCF board member, Dr. Calvin Nobles, Dean of Cybersecurity at the University of Maryland Global Campus, who discussed the urgent need for cybersecurity professionals in the U.S. Dr. Nobles also introduced our keynote speaker, Hallie Zimmerman, Manager for Global Cyber Policy at Northrop Grumman. Hallie shared her inspiring journey into cybersecurity and delivered an engaging talk that resonated deeply with attendees.

While students participated in a variety of interactive activities, parents engaged in two dynamic sessions led by Gregg Smith, CEO of TAC, and Darnell Washington, Senior IT Consultant. These sessions covered critical topics such as the do’s and don’ts of online activities, pathways to cybersecurity careers, and K-12 cybersecurity initiatives, empowering parents with tools to better support their children in navigating the digital world. Additionally, Howard Community College provided parents with information about their robust cybersecurity programs, helping to bridge opportunities for further education and career advancement in the field.

We also hosted a live taping of our podcast during the day, led by our very own #CyberChats host Kennedy Taylor. Guests included Casey Nazelrod, student at Loyola Blakefield, Emmett Omron, student at Loyola Blakefield and Alexis Davis, COO of TAC. It was a fantastic opportunity to discuss the latest trends in cybersecurity and the importance of fostering a future generation of cyber professionals. Be sure to check out this episode on #CyberChats!

The day ended with Dr. Alisha Jordan, NCF Director of Education, thanking all the participants, families, volunteers, sponsors, and partners for their contributions to making the event such a success. She also awarded prizes, courtesy of our partners at MetaCTF, to the students who won the CTF challenge, providing them with a rewarding end to the day.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Northrop Grumman for their sponsorship and to our partners, including the TAC team, UMGC, NiSUS (for their hard work on the Escape Room), Loyola Blakefield, and Howard Community College, as well as the many volunteers who contributed to the event’s success.

Mark your calendars for the next Cyber Saturday on May 3, 2025—we can’t wait to see you there!

Photo Gallery - click images for larger view

View a selection of photos from the event below and see the full gallery of photos in our January 2025 Cyber Saturday Shutterfly album.