Mississippi Cyber Initiative Hosts Capture the Flag Cybersecurity Competition

GULFPORT, Miss.- The Mississippi Cyber Initiative (MCI), in collaboration with the Mississippi National Guard and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), hosted an engaging Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition in November at MGCC’s Harrison County Campus.

Marking the second major cybersecurity competition for the MCI team, the challenge brought together 30 students, six members of the Mississippi Army National Guard, and the Mississippi Cyber Unit director for a hands-on simulation inspired by real-world cyberattacks that have impacted the state.

This event was more than just a competition; it served as a platform to continue strengthening our cyber readiness, foster collaboration between academia and the defense sector, and prepare the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.

For two days, participants tested their technical skills, sharpened strategic thinking, and built valuable connections across the cybersecurity community. Through mentorship from our military members, they received instruction on best practices for analyzing cyber incident information.

“Events like this are critical for developing a skilled cyber workforce and ensuring our state remains resilient against evolving threats,” said Director Bobby Freeman, MS Cyber Unit.

In continuing to strengthen our collaborations, the MCI team expresses gratitude to our partner members from MGCCC for hosting this event and to the military members who dedicated their time this weekend to promoting cybersecurity through this impactful initiative.

For more on the Mississippi Cyber Initiative, visit www.mscyberinitiative.org.