OKLAHOMA CITY — The Computer Science Department at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) is taking innovative steps to prepare students for the cybersecurity workforce. In June, the department collaborated with the college’s Information Technology Services (ITS) and Cyberbit to host cybersecurity exercises.
Cyberbit, a hyper-realistic cybersecurity skill development platform, works with higher education institutions to conduct live-fire competitions, immersing students in real-world attack scenarios. OCCC and nine other colleges and universities across the country have partnered with Cyberbit.
The one-day event, made possible through a STEM-funded initiative, featured two intensive training modules: Share-lock Ransomware Live-Fire Exercise and Apache Web Defacement Live-Fire Exercise. Led by Cyberbit trainer Jordan Kent, the sessions provided students with hands-on experience in handling cyber-threats and making critical decisions under pressure.
While every student had an individual role based on their knowledge and skill set, they worked together to identify weaknesses, refine defensive strategies, and deploy solutions that equip them for future careers in the cybersecurity field.
“We’re giving students absolute real-world experiences through crisis situations,” said Sara Mathew, professor and department chair of computer science at OCCC. “They were able to use the safety net of the classroom environment to build on their skills.”
Joshua Sparks, a participating student, said, “This training was incredible! It was my first time experiencing something like this, and I’ll never forget the invaluable lessons learned.”
Pierce Stevens, another student, also reflected positively on the experience.
“It was an amazing opportunity. I was nervous at first, but the live-fires and assignments were very exciting. I learned a lot, and I’m grateful to have been part of it,” he said.
Students who completed the training earned Cyberbit certificates, proving their ability to effectively manage and respond to cyberattacks.
