Students from 22 high schools across Virginia gathered for CyberSlam 2025, an event designed to immerse students in the dynamic world of cybersecurity. Hosted at George Mason University, the event connected students with industry experts, cutting-edge technologies and hands-on workshops tailored to all skill levels.
Students traveled from as far as Newport News, Virginia Beach, Spotsylvania, and Culpeper to participate in interactive sessions that explored real-world cyber threats and defense strategies. Workshop topics ranged from digital forensics and drone security, to protecting against ransomware and crypto-malware, giving students an opportunity to apply cybersecurity concepts in practical scenarios.
The event’s keynote speaker was Dolores Garza, Branch Chief of the Technical Operations Group, Investigative Operations Division, U.S. Marshals Service. She encouraged students to embrace their role as the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.
“To all the students here today: You are the future of cybersecurity. Your skills, your creativity, and your vision will define the next era of digital security. Stay curious, stay relentless, and never underestimate the impact you can make.”
Beyond the workshops, students had the chance to connect with cybersecurity organizations, learn about career paths and engage with professionals from government and industry. For many, the experience reinforced their passion for cybersecurity and provided a clearer vision for their future.
"Attending CyberSlam provided me the valuable opportunity to engage with industry professionals and educators, and the experience I gained from these workshops just fuels my passion for cybersecurity even more,” said Briar Woods senior Sharouq Usta-Omar. “I am excited to apply all I learned to my future in cybersecurity."
“CyberSlam 2025 was awesome,” said Potomac Falls junior Amna Bibi. “I really enjoyed the hands-on activities, learning about cybersecurity jobs and the degrees available.”
Now in its fourth year, CyberSlam was founded by Briar Woods teacher Chris Starke, who has helped grow the event into a statewide opportunity for students.
“It was rewarding to see so many students engage in real-world activities led by our fantastic presenters and exhibitors,” said Starke. “I sincerely thank co-director Jennifer Marden, the staff at George Mason University, and the many others who worked tirelessly to make this year’s event another great success.”
CyberSlam 2025 was made possible through the support of Loudoun County Public Schools, George Mason University Cyber Security Engineering, Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Northern Virginia Node, Virginia Cyber Range, Vertex11, Claroty, CACI, CodeHS, Widelity and GT Edge AI. Their commitment to cybersecurity education ensures students gain meaningful exposure to the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this rapidly growing field.
For more information on CyberSlam and how students can get involved in future events, visit the CyberSlam webpage.
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