Texas A&M University System Teams Up with WWT for Cyber Range Challenge
On November 21, 2025, World Wide Technology (WWT) partnered with the Texas A&M University System to host an exciting Capture the Flag (CTF) event designed to sharpen cybersecurity skills and foster collaboration across academia and industry.
A day of cyber defense and discovery
The event brought together 11 teams and 34 participants, including students and faculty from across the Texas A&M System, for a six-hour blue-team challenge focused on intrusion detection and threat hunting. Players faced a simulated compromised network scenario, requiring them to analyze logs, identify Indicators of Compromise (IOCs), and track an active threat actor using advanced tactics like reverse shells and DNS-based man-in-the-middle attacks.
Teams worked through 25 sequential challenges, unlocking each new stage by solving the previous one. This design kept the pressure high and the pace relentless, creating an immersive learning experience that tested real-world cybersecurity skills.
Highlights from the competition
One participant, Mukesh Ravichandran, shared on LinkedIn:
Mukesh also praised the top-performing team, SpentFuelRods, which cleared the entire board in under five hours. An impressive feat that set the bar high for future competitions.
Jennifer Cutler, Associate Director for Industry Engagement at Texas A&M Institute of Data Science, said, "This was such a great event because participants from multiple Texas A&M System campuses and state agencies—including students, faculty, and staff—were brought together in one space, highlighting the talent we have! It was an opportunity for everyone, no matter how much or little experience they had, to take on real-world threat-hunting scenarios you simply can't replicate in a classroom. The competition immersed participants in hands-on challenges that translate directly to the work happening in the field, and we're excited to keep building on this momentum with WWT. Their partnership opens the door for even more advanced training opportunities and future events that will continue strengthening skills across security operations, emerging technologies, and other mission-critical areas."
The competition not only showcased the skills and talents of its participants but also fostered a sense of unity and collaboration across the Texas A&M University System. Robert Stricklin, Associate Director of Cloud and Application Security, reflected on the event's success, stating:
"This experience was great for our faculty, staff, and students to get involved and test their knowledge and skills. Having an opportunity to bring the entire Texas A&M University System together for a single purpose was fun and exciting. The event was an amazing experience and helped everyone involved use some old and new skillsets."
Powered by partnership
This event was made possible through the support of sponsors and partners committed to advancing cybersecurity education.
- Palo Alto Networks
- F5
- Texas A&M Institute of Data Science
- Mays Business School
- Texas A&M University Technology Services
Investing in the future
The Texas A&M CTF is more than a competition. It's a testament to the university system's dedication to reinvesting in its students and preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow. By partnering with WWT and industry leaders, Texas A&M is equipping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals with hands-on experience that translates directly to real-world impact.