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The 8th Annual MCPS Cyber Forensics Challenge saw nearly 300 high school students from various schools testing their investigative skills in a daylong event at Montgomery College.

Students Put Cyber Skills to the Test at 8th Annual MCPS Cyber Forensics Challenge

Last month, nearly 300 high school students put their investigative and technical skills to the test during the 8th annual MCPS High School Cyber Forensics Challenge.

Students representing Montgomery Blair, Winston Churchill, Damascus, Northwest, Poolesville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill and Wheaton high schools participated in the daylong event at Montgomery College’s Germantown Campus. The challenge began with breakfast and a welcome from Campus Dean Sharon Anthony, followed by competition instructions and the start of the cyber forensics activities.

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Designed by Poolesville High School alumnus Chris Thompson, the competition immersed students in a realistic, capture-the-flag style investigation. Teams worked through a series of technical challenges to uncover hidden digital “flags,” while also searching for physical clues placed throughout the campus. Students were tasked with solving a fictitious cybercrime case and, in a unique final component, preparing a written analysis identifying the suspected perpetrator and supporting their conclusions with evidence gathered during the investigation. The experience emphasized not only technical expertise, but also critical thinking, collaboration and real-world investigative practices.

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Following a midday break for lunch, students reconvened to hear from guest speaker Simeon Kakpovi, a senior threat intelligence analyst at Microsoft, Montgomery Blair High School alumnus and founder of the KC7 cyber threat intelligence platform.