Columbia Cybersecurity Team Earns Berth to Finals of Wicked6 Cyber Games in Las Vegas

ECPI University Defeated 25 Competing Schools to Advance

Columbia, SC – Members of the Columbia campus’ Cybersecurity Team have earned a spot in the national finals of the Wicked6 Cyber Games in Las Vegas on August 8 at the HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. The team, made up of Cyber and Network Security students Franklin Pearson, Earl Knorr, Wendi Jonkers, Jason Simmons, Kevin Richards, and Coach Chris Flanery, will compete in a contest designed to simulate industry-specific cyber-attack scenarios. 

“We are proud of our cybersecurity team of students and their accomplishment as national finalists,” says ECPI University Columbia Campus President James R. Rund. “With Cybersecurity Ventures projecting 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs by 2021, ECPI University is preparing graduates for the job sector of the future.  Competition and hands-on training is one way we help our students prepare for their future careers.”

Hosted by the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu and sponsored in part by Microsoft and the National Security Agency (NSA), competitors at Wicked6 are challenged to exhibit critical cyber defense skills that directly map to abilities that corporate recruiters seek to fill the growing number of IT security jobs. ECPI University will be facing off against: 

  • California State University
  • University of Central Florida
  • University of Colorado Boulder
  • University of Nevada, Reno
  • University of North Carolina, Wilmington 

Wicked6 is also a fundraising event, created to help advance women in cybersecurity careers by promoting hands-on training, networking, resource-sharing and other professional opportunities. 

For more information, please contact ECPI University Director of Marketing at 757.490.9090 or publicrelations@ecpi.edu.

About ECPI University 

ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate's, baccalaureate, and master's degrees and diplomas. SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. A private university founded in 1966, ECPI University has campuses in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Texas, and offers convenient classes during the day, evening, and online; graduate employment services, continuing education, certification classes, and testing are also available.               

On campus or online, fields of study include: HEALTH SCIENCES: Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing (RN to BSN), BS to BSN, Nursing (RN), Practical Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Health Information Management, Physical Therapist Assistant, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting,  Radiography, Sonography, Surgical Technology; TECHNOLOGY: Master of Science in Information Systems, Master of Science in Cybersecurity, Cyber and Network Security, Information Systems,  Software Development, Cloud Computing, Web Development,  Database Programming, Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechatronics/Advanced Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering Technology; BUSINESS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Accounting, Business Administration, IT Management, Hospitality Management, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security; CULINARY: Culinary Arts, Culinary Nutrition, Food Service Management, Baking and Pastry Arts. (Program field availability varies by campus.) For more information, visit www.ecpi.edu

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Contact:
ECPI University Director of Marketing - 757.490.9090 or publicrelations@ecpi.edu
Release Date:
Tuesday, July 16, 2019