CyAD 2026: Cybersecurity Across Disciplines Summit

This opening session introduces participants to the CyAD Summit Capture the Flag competition environment using CTFd and NetLab virtual infrastructure. Students, faculty, fellows, scholarship participants, Cyber Club members, and industry attendees will form teams, access the competition platform, and begin exploring hands-on cybersecurity challenges focused on experiential learning and workforce development.

Competition categories include Windows users, Linux users, networking, web security, file systems, services, FTP, digital forensics, hashing, jobs, and system administration challenges.

Participants will gain access to Windows, Kali Linux, and Windows Server virtual environments while learning how cybersecurity competitions support technical skill development, critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem solving.

Observers are encouraged to attend, interact with competitors, ask questions about the learning process, and explore how experiential learning environments help prepare students for cybersecurity careers and technical workforce pathways.


How to participate:

1. Open to all registered CyAD attendees to compete or observe.
2. Log into Sched and add the CyAD CTF session(s) to your personal Summit agenda.
3. Attend the Pre-Summit CTF Zoom Session, Session 1, or Session 2 to receive competition information and registration instructions.
4. If you miss earlier sessions, you may still attend Session 2 to register and participate or observe.
5. Register for the competition and either create a team or join an existing team.
6. Teams may consist of up to four participants.
7. Registered competitors will receive competition access information and credentials.
8. Bring your own laptop. A fully charged battery is recommended as power supply may be limited.
9. Follow all competition rules and instructions provided by event staff.

CyAD CTF Sessions:

1. Session 1: CyAD Summit CTF - Team Formation, CTFd Access, and Experiential Learning Kickoff | Wed., June 24, 2026 | 3:30-4:15 PM CDT
2. Session 2: CyAD Summit CTF - Live Competition & Experiential Learning in Action, Additional Team Formation & CTFd Access | Thurs., June 25, 2026 | 2:45-3:30 PM CDT
3. Closing Session: CyAD Summit CTF - Post-Competition and Experiential Learning Sharing Discussion and Announcement of Winners | Thurs., June 25, 2026 | 4:00-4:45 PM CDT

Details for an optional pre-Summit virtual (Zoom) information session will be announced soon—please check back for updates.