CyberForce - US Department of Energy Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program

CyberForce Overview

CyberForce is a yearly competition for CAE member schools put on by the US Department of Energy. Students participate in a read team vs. blue team scenario where participants act as cyber defenders (blue team) in a simulated real-world scenario where they have to maintain and protect cyber assets.

*** Update 2026: University of Denver currently sent two teams to participate in CyberForce in 2025! Congratulations to them for representing us so well in the competition! ***

Team 1 members (no particular order):

• Domonic Velarde
• Jacob Fishbein
• Adrian Rodriguez
• Sy Pretto
• Jason Velvick
• La’Ron Latin

Team 2 members (no particular order):

• Abhinav Khoti
• Aditya Biswas
• Sachin Thakur
• Divyal Desle
• Dishant Desle

Cyberforce Plug

Looking to build your cyber security toolset?

How about getting some valuable experience that you can put on your resume?

If you are a DU student with an interest in cybersecurity, ethical hacking, or joining fun contests, CyberForce is the place to be!!

In short, CyberForce is hosting a CTF style competition for US University students. You and a team will participate in a two-day online hacking event to test your mettle. It’s completely free to participate, and it should be a great experience for ethical hacking (in particular, defending assets against hackers). Don’t worry about your skill level; as long as you have an interest in cyber this will be worthwhile. So find a team, and sign up today!!

DU students have participated in CyberForce in the past, and 2024 is no different! We currently have one team already accepted to attend and participate and a second team has applied and we hope they are also accepted.

Overview

Competition Goal: Through the Department of Energy CyberForce Competition, we aim to leverage the people, research and capabilities of the National Laboratory Complex by providing a competition that tests the next generation of cyber professionals’ ability to protect and defend energy-focused critical infrastructure.

Student Eligibility: Participants must be 18 years of age to participate. Participants must be attending an accredited U.S. higher education institution. Participants must be degree seeking: undergraduate, graduate, and PhD. Participants must be actively attending the university they wish to represent. Participants must be on a team of 4-6 individuals. Once the competition has begun, a participant must complete the competition. Successful teams will have: A connection to an accredited cyber program. A base knowledge in industrial control systems. The ability to work together as a team. The motivation and want to learn and try new things. A passion to think outside the box for defensive measures. A drive to provide innovative solutions.

CyberForce Home Page Details