1
CEDARVILLE COMPUTER SCIENCE & CYBER OPERATIONS
STUDENT GUIDE
2
Proverbs 22:29 CSB
Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings.
This student guide introduces students to Cedarville University’s internationally
acclaimed Computer Science and Cyber Operations academic program.
Published 1
August 2024. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2024 by Cedarville University.
3
Table of Contents
Welcome ..................................................................................................................... 4
Meet the Faculty
Dr. David Gallagher ......................................................................................................... 5
Dr. Keith Shomper .......................................................................................................... 6
Dr. Seth Hamman ........................................................................................................... 7
Prof. Patrick Dudenhofer ................................................................................................. 8
Dr. George Landon ......................................................................................................... 9
Prof. Nick Parry ............................................................................................................. 10
Prof. Eric Knoerr ............................................................................................................ 11
Curriculum ................................................................................................................ 12
Where To Get Help .................................................................................................... 13
Career Advice ............................................................................................................ 14
Private Sector Internships ........................................................................................ 16
U.S. Government Internships .................................................................................... 17
U.S. Government Scholarships .................................................................................. 18
Cyber Program Structure .......................................................................................... 19
Challenge Coins ......................................................................................................... 20
Student Involvement ................................................................................................ 22
Useful Websites ........................................................................................................ 23
4
Welcome from the Dean
To our new computer science (CS) and cyber operations (CY) majors we say WELCOME! As the
Dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, it is my joy to have you as part of our
incoming class. The growth of CS and CY programs across all of higher education has been
astounding. My fellow deans have discussed this phenomenon on multiple occasions at meetings
and conferences. By keeping ahead of the workload required to achieve a CS or CY degree, you
will become some of the most heavily recruited students for both internships and full-time jobs.
May the Lord bless you as you enjoy your 1000 days at Cedarville!
- Dean Robert Chasnov
Welcome from the Head of Program for CS & CY
Welcome to our incoming Computer Science and Cyber Operations students! We are excited you
are here, and we consider it our ministry to ensure you have a great experience here at Cedarville.
We want your time at Cedarville to be a time of growth in your faith and your love for the Lord.
We want it to be a time when you further develop a love for others and a passion for ministry.
But we also want this to be a time where you prepare yourself academically, so that you can
better honor our Lord out in the workplace. We are here to serve you in any way we can, so
please come see me if there is anything I can assist you with. Again, welcome!
- Dr. David Gallagher
Welcome from the Cyber Center Director
Welcome! We are so glad that the Lord led you to Cedarville. We are all blessed to be part of this
unique community that seeks to honor God in all we do and to live in Christian fellowship with
one another. The Lord continues to bring us outstanding young men and women like yourself
who desire to grow in their faith and take their academic studies seriously. The faculty are
humbled by the stewardship entrusted to us—you! The Center for the Advancement of
Cybersecurity exists to advance cybersecurity in our nation with the ultimate goal of advancing
God’s kingdom. We invite all of you to become involved with the activities of the Center, including
cyber competitions and outreach opportunities, whether you are majoring in Computer Science
or Cyber Operations (or both!).
- Dr. Seth Hamman
5
Meet the Faculty
David Gallagher, Ph.D. | Lt Col, USAF, Ret.
Head of Program for Computer Science & Cyber Ops.
Senior Professor of Computer Science
Dr. Gallagher (aka “Dr. G”) joined the faculty at Cedarville
University in August 2000 following a 22-year career in the
United States Air Force. During his Air Force career, he
flew the F-4G Wild Weasel, served as the Harm Block IV
Test Manager, and was a member of the faculty for the
Air Force Institute of Technology.
Word of Encouragement:
A career in Computer Science (CS) or Cyber Operations (CY) is a great way to earn a living and
serve God. These fields desperately need the influence of a Christian worldview. The CS and CY
majors are tough and require a great deal of time and effort in order to be successful. But it's not
impossible, and there is a lot of support to help you. Your professors love students and really
want you to be successful. They want you to come visit them in their offices. Take advantage of
other assistance as well, such as the Cove and the CS lab aides. When times get tough, just
remember that there are a lot of people who very much want you to succeed and are praying for
you. And remember that your strongest supporter is Jesus; He's pulling for you as well!
Top Piece of Advice for Freshmen:
• Determine to honor God in the way you conduct yourself at Cedarville, including your
academics (Col 3:23-24).
• Determine to prepare yourself while at Cedarville so that you will be salt & light in your
career.
• Sleep is a weapon; food is a weapon. Sleep at night, not during the day. Don't skip meals!
Classes Taught:
• CS-2210: Data Structures Using Java
• CS-3410: Algorithms
• CS-3510: Compiler Theory and Practice
• EGCP-4210: Advanced Computer Architecture
6
Keith Shomper, Ph.D. | Lt Col, USAF, Ret.
Cyber Center Faculty Fellow
Senior Professor of Computer Science and Cyber Ops.
Dr. Shomper joined the faculty at Cedarville in 2003 after
serving a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force. His
research interests include computer science education,
programming environments, and computer graphics.
Word of Encouragement:
I am thankful for the students studying at Cedarville. I hope they'll take time to think about and
appreciate the incredible blessing God has given them to be part of a program that has helped
hundreds of young men and women launch their careers in computing. I also hope they'll fully
realize how much their professors want them to grow and prosper in both Christian faith and
technical ability during their Cedarville career so that they may join us as colleagues in a mission
and profession we thoroughly enjoy.
Top Piece of Advice for Freshmen:
We have great students in the CS/CY programs. Because many of them were the best students
in their high school class, they didn't often need to ask questions or get additional help in class.
However, college courses can be more daunting, because the pace of the course is faster than in
high school and the subject matter is more difficult. So, I advise all students, and especially
freshmen, to have the boldness (or courage) to ask the professor questions before, during, and
after class. Timely questions are not only a help to the one asking, but they help other students
who may be too shy to ask the same question themselves. Questions are also a help to the
professor, because they give him/her feedback on whether or not he/she is communicating the
course material in an understandable manner.
Classes Taught:
• CS-1220: Object-Oriented Programming Using C++
• CY-3320: Linux System Programming
• CS-3410: Algorithms
• CS-4810/CS-4820: Although I no longer teach this class, I have a part in it as a faculty
advisor each year for one (or two) of the senior design team(s).
7
Seth Hamman, Ph.D.
Cyber Center Director
Professor of Cyber Operations and Computer Science
Dr. Hamman joined the faculty at Cedarville in 2012. He
brings real-world experience to the classroom from having
worked in the tech industry, both as an employee of a
startup dotcom and as a consultant. During his first four
years at Cedarville, he earned his Ph.D. while studying
cybersecurity at the Air Force's graduate school, the Air
Force Institute of Technology, located at nearby Wright-
Patterson Air Force Base. He and his wife were college
sweethearts at Duke University, and they have 4 children.
Word of Encouragement:
Determine to honor Jesus in all things and leave the results up to Him. He will take your efforts
and use them for His glory. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the
Lord (Col 3:23).
Top Piece of Advice for Freshmen:
Stay organized! Success at college requires staying on top of things. Nobody is here to remind
you what to do and when to do it – it is all up to you now! Pay close attention to details in all
your courses, like when assignments are due and what the requirements are. Turning in
assignments late or not at all is the quickest way to torpedo your grades.
Classes Taught:
• CY-1000: Intro to Cybersecurity
• CY-3420: Cyber Defense
8
Patrick Dudenhofer, M.S.
Cyber Center Faculty Fellow
Associate Professor of Computer Science and Cyber Ops.
Professor Patrick Dudenhofer (aka “Prof Dude”) joined the
faculty at Cedarville University in 2014 after spending a
decade at the Air Force Research Laboratory researching
human-computer interfaces for effective supervision of
autonomous systems. His academic interests and research
include software reverse engineering, human-computer
interaction, cognitive modeling, and cybersecurity.
Word of Encouragement:
With technology advancing and changing so quickly, you will have incredible opportunities to
honor the Lord and serve others through the disciplines of computer science and cyber operations.
The knowledge, skills, and wisdom you acquire and hone at Cedarville will equip you to be a bold
ambassador for Christ and an effective practitioner in whatever technical vocation the Lord leads
you toward. Be a faithful student and servant for Christ - and enjoy the adventure the Lord has
in store for you.
Top Piece of Advice for Freshmen:
Don't be a church hopper or skipper. Quickly find a local church to attend and serve the Lord
there!
Classes Taught:
• CS-3210: Programming Language Survey
• CS-3310: Operating Systems
• CS-3610: Database Organization & Design
• CY-4330: Software Security
9
George Landon, Ph.D.
Professor of Computer Science
Dr. Landon joined the Cedarville faculty in 2019. He has
extensive experience in Computer Vision and Computer
Graphics with specific applications in 3D scanning and
document scanning. He has been involved in scanning
projects in the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, and other
U.S. sites. Dr. Landon has also been active in multiple
game development projects and actively participates in
both global and regional video game conferences.
Word of Encouragement:
Our fields of Computer Science/Cyber Operations/Software Engineering are full of people that
have entered the field for the money/job security and to solve problems. As Christians, we know
that Jesus has provided the perfect solution to our most pressing problem. Focus on course
projects and work hard to support team projects, but don't take your eyes off Christ. We get to
“work heartily, as for the Lord,” for God's glory not for His approval.
Top Piece of Advice for Freshmen:
You are in a unique situation where you are around nearly 200 Christians who are interested in
Computer Science and Cyber Operations. It is very unlikely that this will be the case in your future
careers. Here, your classmates are your brothers and sisters in Christ, so don't forget to
“encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thess. 5:11). Get to know each of your
classmates, talk to them, and develop relationships.
Classes Taught:
• CS-1210: C++ Programming
• EGCP-4310: Computer Networks
• CS-4430: Machine Learning for Intelligent Agents
• CS-4710: Computer Graphics
• CS-4730: Virtual Reality Applications
10
Nick Parry, M.S.
Cyber Center Deputy Director
Assistant Professor of Cyber Operations
Professor Nick Parry joined the faculty at Cedarville
University in 2022 after 14 years as a software engineer in
the cybersecurity industry. He has been employed at
Northrop Grumman Xetron, Tenable Network Security, and
CrowdStrike. His focus has been on secure cyber systems
for the Department of Defense and other government
agencies, as well as commercial tools for vulnerability
management and endpoint protection.
Word of Encouragement:
Welcome to Cedarville's CS/CY program! You are undertaking a rigorous program that will prepare
you for a myriad of opportunities across a wide variety of professional fields. Computer science
and cybersecurity have never been more important than they are today. At Cedarville, we want
you to not just gain head knowledge in your classes but for you to be immersed in our vibrant
culture. You'll find a variety of extracurricular activities that you can be involved in, from tech
talks to programming and cybersecurity competitions. Additionally, and most importantly, your
peers and faculty mentors want you to grow in your faith and understand how we use our
professions to glorify God in our world. So, jump in with both feet and be prepared to learn! We're
so glad you're here!
Top Piece of Advice for Freshmen:
“Therefore, do not be anxious.... But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and
all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:25, 33).
Classes Taught:
• CS-1220: Object Oriented Design with C++
• CS-2210: Data Structures Using Java
• CY-2310: Cyber Forensics
• CY-4310: Cyber Operations
11
Eric Knoerr, B.S.
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Professor Eric Knoerr joined the faculty at Cedarville
University in 2022. He received his BS in Computer Science
from Michigan Technological University and is currently
pursuing his MS in Cyber Security from Georgia Institute of
Technology. He enjoys reading, hiking, board games, and
spending time with his wife, Erika, and their six children.
Word of Encouragement:
You are not alone. Whether it's family, childhood friends, fellow church members, CU classmates,
staff and professors, or ultimately the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, there is always someone to share
in your joys and your sorrows, in your accomplishments and your failures. Seek out those
relationships because although Cedarville (or your church or your family) is definitely not perfect,
there are many opportunities to build lifelong relationships that God will use to strengthen you
for the task at hand. Which also means that you need to strive to be a friend to those around
you. So follow Jesus's command, "love one another as I [Jesus] have loved you. Greater love has
no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12b-13).
Top Piece of Advice for Freshmen:
“Therefore, my beloved brothers (and sisters), be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the
work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58). Our world is
constantly changing around us. As people whom God has called to use our gifts in the realm of
computers, it appears that we are sometimes put at the forefront of that change. We need to
remind ourselves that “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which
God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10). Thus, we continue to focus
on the truth that God is Sovereign and that we need to remain firmly rooted in Christ Jesus our
Lord and let Him work through us in the works for which He has already designed us to do.
Classes Taught:
• CS-1210: C++ Programming
• CS-3220: Web Applications
• CS-4810/4820: Software Engineering I/II
• CY-4810/4820: Secure Software Engineering I/II
12
Curriculum
Below are diagrams for each academic major. Official curriculum requirements are also found in
the course catalog.
Computer Science (CS)
Cyber Operations (CY)
CS & CY Double Major
CS with CY Track
The Double Major
What is the difference between a double major in CS and CY and simply majoring in one of
them? A double major requires 10 more credit hours than a single major.
What classes are different between Computer Science with Cyber Track and Cyber Operations?
o To double from Computer Science with a Cyber Track, the following must be taken:
• CY-2310: Cyber Forensics
• EGCP-2120: Microcontrollers
• PHYS-2120: General Physics II (cannot use BIO-1115 Biology I: Cell Biology)
• One of the following CY Interdisciplinary Electives:
o HIST-3080: History and Politics of Russia and Eastern Europe
o HIST-3220: History and Politics of the Middle East
o ITM-3450: IT Security and Risk Management
o CRJU-4160: International and Domestic Terrorism
o CRJU-4320: Criminal Investigation
o HIST-4500: Seminar Warfare Ancient and Modern
o Other Courses with pre-approval of school dean
o To double from Cyber Operations, the following must be taken:
• One of the following 3 credit hour courses. Note that 2 of the below courses will
already be taken as a CY major so only 1 course is actually added.
o CS-3220: Web Applications
o CS-3510: Compiler Theory and Practice
o CS-3610: Database Organization and Design
• 6.5 additional credit hours from:
o CS-3210: Programming Language Survey
o PHYS-2120: Physics II
Course Credit for Cyber Competitions
Course credit cannot be fairly awarded to students for cyber competitions due to the dynamic
nature of competition involvement. Due to this and other academic requirements and policies,
there is no option to earn course credit through cyber competition participation.
13
Where To Get Help
Computer Science (CS) Lab
Located in ENS 242, the CS Lab is an excellent place to work on projects. Instead of spending
hours debugging code on your own, you can ask the lab tutors for help. They are authorized to
assist and can provide valuable insights. See the CS Lab Assistant Schedule.
Office Hours
Office hours are your best friend. Professors are always willing to help and want to see you
succeed. This is the time to receive help on assignments while getting to know your professors
better.
Classmates
Do not be a lone wolf; find a group of people and learn together. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron
sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Do not use study groups as an excuse to slack
off but as an opportunity to grow in knowledge and community.
Online Searching
Utilizing the power of the world wide web, students can find software and hardware manuals as
well as forums for many of their technical problems, specifically error messages. Cyberspace is
full of documentation, so exercising open-source intelligence skills and tools is worthwhile.
Additionally, when permitted, artificial intelligence and machine learning programs are
outstanding tools.
WiCyS (Women in Cybersecurity)
Computer Science and Cyber Operations women can join the WiCyS group to ask each other
questions. The WiCyS leadership often hosts events like coffee dates, group study sessions, and
special speaker events.
14
Career Advice
Students should regularly consult their professors and the Career Services office for career advice.
It is recommended that students meet with Career Services early to establish a working
relationship with them. They offer many resources. Remember, no matter the application, always
start early and submit early. Early is best. On-time is late.
1. Resume
While everyone knows that job hunting requires a well-crafted resume, students may not know
that some extracurricular activities like cyber competitions also require a resume for participation.
This is why freshmen should create their resume early as it can be easily updated with each new
experience. Career Services uses Handshake, which is similar to LinkedIn, to review resumes and
schedule appointments. Professors and recruiters can provide feedback on resumes as well.
Remember to optimize your resume for the different filtering stages:
1. You want your resume to escape the tall pile of other resumes sitting on the employer’s
desk. This means matching a keyword search. For example, if applying to pizza jobs, then
you want to include keywords relating to pizza making. The resume reviewers, whether
persons or an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), are not technical experts. Therefore, you
must match their keyword search to survive the first screening phase.
2. Once you have made it through the immediate weed out process, the employer must
decide who to talk to out of this new pile of resumes. You want to first ensure that there
are no typos or errors. Then, place your most relevant experience up front so it grabs the
attention of the prospective employer.
3. In the final step, the employer will have selected a handful of interesting resumes, so this
is where details matter. You will want to focus on what you did specifically and how it
contributed to the overall mission or goal. Numbers are always a good idea here.
o Coding projects and GitHub repositories are excellent resume boosters. LeetCode
provides many coding challenges to help you prepare for interviews.
o Cyber competitions look fantastic on resumes and are great learning opportunities
to prepare you for work in the field.
2. Network Building
Creating a LinkedIn and Handshake profile can help with career networking by serving as a
contact book while also advertising one’s skills. You will want to highlight any experience, skills,
coursework, honors, and extracurricular activities that make you competitive. A course’s catalog
description can also be helpful for determining what to write.
On LinkedIn and Handshake, find companies you want to work at or professionals you want to
be like and examine what they have done to succeed. You may even message them to introduce
15
yourself and learn more about what they do. You never know when someone will recommend
you or refer you to a recruiter.
Additionally, interact with campus event speakers after their presentation. Ask about skills you
can develop to be competitive in their field and what internship opportunities exist at their
company. Oftentimes they will ask for resumes. You can also ask for a business card or email
address to follow up with them after the event. In finding a job, it is not what you know, but who
you know. By networking with likeminded professionals, you open doors you did not know existed.
Special Caveat: If you are interested in interning and/or working for a government agency, then
it is recommended that you do not
follow them on social media. Some intelligence agencies will
terminate your application upon discovering your social media connection with them.
3. No Internship?
Internships are a terrific way to gain real world experience while testing specific job roles. That
said, if you do not receive an internship, that does not mean you cannot experience cyber work.
Explore the Cyber Ops homepage to find ways to advance your skills and redeem your time.
4. Security Clearances
Some jobs may require a security clearance and/or U.S. citizenship. It should be noted that the
security clearance process is often long and occasionally frustrating. Sometimes students do not
know if they have the job until very close to the start date. Keep this in mind if you are in the
security clearance process or considering a job which has that requirement.
5. Email Signature Block
As some students use their Cedarville email accounts when applying for positions, all cyber
students are encouraged to use the below email signature block, updating the necessary features
and resizing the images to match the below.
6. Cyber Certifications
Students wonder what certifications they should earn. Our answer is that certifications may not
matter that much. By earning a CS or CY degree, students will be well prepared and exposed to
the field such that they could take CompTIA’s Security+ exam without much studying. We
recommend focusing on getting that first job and then seeing what certifications, if any, your
employer wants you to earn. If they want you to have one, they will likely pay for it.
16
Private Sector Internships
Cedarville hosts many companies every year at the career fair. They offer a variety of internship
opportunities for students, many of which can lead to attractive full-time employment after
graduation. Some have locations nationwide, while others are only in the Dayton area.
The best advice for receiving internship offers is to apply everywhere and focus on crafting a
targeted resume. Additionally, manage your expectations and do not be disappointed if you do
not receive offers. There are plenty of ways to develop skills outside of an internship.
Private Companies
SonSet Solutions Internships
LightSys Internships
Defense Contractors
Boeing Internships
Caesar Creek Software Internships
Cryptic Vector Internships
KBR Internships
Lockheed Martin Internships
Northrop Grumman Careers Portal
Radiance Technologies Careers Portal
Raytheon Technologies Internships
17
U.S. Government Internships
Government work can be very rewarding because it is an opportunity to serve the country.
Additionally, outside of penetration testing, the only careers that involve legally hacking
computers are in government agencies (white hat hacking). By interning for the government, you
gain valuable experience and become an attractive candidate for any future employer.
Some internship programs do not have their own site but instead post their opportunities to
USAJobs. You can search for internships there or for specific internships below.
National Security Agency (NSA) Internships
• Detailed Internship Program Descriptions
• Cedarville students have historically interned with CAE-CO, CSP, CSIP, & SIP/IA.
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Internships
Air Force Research Labs (AFRL) Internships
• AFRL Scholars Program
• LEGACY Junior Apprentice Program
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity Internship Program
Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)
Navy Internship Programs
• Office of Naval Intelligence Student Internship Program
• Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP)
NASA STEM Gateway Internships
Additional DoD Internships
• DoD STEM Internship Database
• DoD Civilian Careers Internship Listings
Pathways Internships
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Pathways Program
• Department of State Pathways Program
• Department of the Treasury Pathways Program
• NASA Pathways Program
18
U.S. Government Scholarships
Scholarship-for-Service (SFS) programs pay for years of college tuition in return for years of work
in a government job postgraduation. While these programs are highly competitive, Cedarville
students have historically had significant success in receiving these scholarships.
DoD Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA)
• Applications are accepted in late fall from sophomores and juniors attending accredited
universities majoring in technical fields such as computer science and cyber operations.
• Benefits:
o Pays the full cost of tuition, fees, and required books.
o Pays for a one-time computer purchase.
o Provides travel support to attend a cyber-related conference.
o Provides a $27,000 stipend (as of 2023).
o Provides a summer internship beginning the year after acceptance.
o Provides government employment upon graduation.
• Requirements:
o Full-time enrollment at a NCAE-C school in a cyber-related bachelor’s program
(CY or CS with cyber operations specialization only).
o U.S. Citizenship
o Ability to obtain a security clearance.
o Completed scholarship application (here).
DoD SMART
• SMART is a widely acclaimed SFS program. The application period opens in the winter to
both sophomores and juniors.
• Benefits:
o Pays the full cost of tuition, fees, and required books.
o Provides a $25,000-$38,000 stipend dependent on degree level.
o Provides $1,200 health insurance allowance per academic year.
o Provides a $1,000 miscellaneous allowance per academic year.
o Provides a summer internship beginning the year after acceptance.
o Provides government employment upon graduation.
• Requirements:
o Full-time enrollment for a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (CS or CY).
o Citizen of the U.S., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or United Kingdom.
o Ability to obtain a security clearance (not necessary but can disqualify agencies).
o GPA above 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
o Completed scholarship application.
19
Cyber Program Structure
Cyber students, whether from the Cyber Operations or the Computer Science with Cyber
specialization majors, are the foundation of Cedarville’s cyber program. The goal of the cyber
program is to develop its students into skilled, ethical cyber operators. Cedarville does this
through many enriching opportunities not traditionally found in other disciplines.
Center for the Advancement of Cybersecurity
Established in 2018, the Cyber Center serves as the headquarters of the cyber program and
houses various Fellows. Cyber faculty members, including the Director and Deputy Director, are
Faculty Fellows. Our occasional hackers-in-residence are considered Visiting Fellows. Cyber
students who assist in the day-to-day operations of the Center are Student Fellows.
Cyber Operations Directorate
The Cyber Operations Directorate is the core of all cyber activities. The Directorate is designed to
mimic the structure and operations of an intelligence agency, so students are more familiar with
that environment, regardless of whether they go on to work in the public or private sector. This
includes competition teams, awareness events, support groups, and much more. Most if not all
these initiatives are student-led, either through Student Fellows or Cyber Officers. While all
Student Fellows are Cyber Officers, some Cyber Officers are not Student Fellows. Cyber Officers
are students serving in a specific leadership capacity, often as competition team leaders.
Cyber Maneuvers
Students can enroll in seminars that provide practical cybersecurity training like Basic Cyber
Maneuvers offered during the Fall semester and Advanced Cyber Maneuvers offered during the
Spring semester. This allows students to become familiar with such things as the Linux command
line and other tool sets much earlier in their academic progression. Graduates receive their
respective key tags as seen below.
20
Challenge Coins
What is a challenge coin?
A challenge coin is a small medallion that fits within the palm of the hand. It dates back to the
military custom of soldiers scoring their unit’s insignia onto a token and distributing copies of the
token amongst their fellow soldiers as a way to identify who was in their respective unit. This
symbol proved lifesaving when a soldier was on the run and questioned or challenged by friendly
forces about his allegiance. Since then, the memento has survived to the present day and is a de
facto standard for encouraging morale and awarding excellence not only in military units and
government agencies but also in commercial ventures and private organizations.
How does Cedarville relate to this tradition?
Cedarville’s cyber program prepares students for highly sophisticated, nation-state level cyber
operations. Many of our graduates go on to serve in the cyber warfare and military intelligence
worlds. As cyberspace has become increasingly vital to national security, many elite cyber
operations units have created their own insignia and adopted the challenge coin custom. Thus,
challenge coins have become a regular part of cyber culture. Cedarville cyber has its own coins,
building esprit de corps among its members and commending excellence and achievement.
What do our coins look like?
The cyber program awards the following coins pictured below.
Cyber Center Challenge Coin (legacy)
Cyber Center Challenge Coin (new)
Director’s Challenge Coin
Cyber Operations Graduation Challenge Coin
21
How can I earn one?
Challenge coins are awarded for a variety of reasons but most often for outstanding conduct
whether in cyber competitions, leadership service, or anything else deemed commendable.
Cyber Center Challenge Coin – This coin represents the Center for the Advancement of
Cybersecurity. The obverse bears the Cyber Center’s seal while the reverse bears the seal of the
University. Both sides are emblazoned with gold to signify the recipient’s achievement.
Awarded by the Director or a Fellow with the Director’s approval to an individual who has
performed a distinguished service or accomplished a noteworthy achievement for the cyber
program. Distinguished visitors often receive this coin as well as Computer Science majors with
the Cyber specialization.
Director’s Commendation Coin – This coin represents the personal recognition of the Director
for a specific deed. It is similar to the above but has the cyber stinger on the reverse side enclosed
by a circuited hexagon with two scrolls of text. The top scroll shows that the coin was presented
by the Director personally, while the bottom alludes to Proverbs 22:29, demonstrating that
continued exceptional work will propel one forward to outstanding heights.
Awarded solely by the Director to personally recognize an individual who has performed
exemplary service in advancing the cyber program.
Cyber Operations Graduation Coin – This coin represents a graduate of the Cyber Operations
major. The seal of the graduate’s alma mater is on the obverse side. The reverse side shows the
graduate’s major above a cyber yellow jacket bursting out of a hexagon, which is symbolic of the
graduate leaving the Cedarville hive and being commissioned into the workforce. Adorning the
rim of the coin is a coded message in the Hebrew Atbash cipher. At the base of the cyber stinger
lies a gold block with a number inscribed. Each coin is sequentially stamped from zero upwards.
The major’s first graduate with the alphabetically first MD5 hashed student identification number
will be presented with the number zero coin and the pattern will continue forward.
Awarded upon graduation from the University’s Cyber Operations major starting in May 2024.
22
Student Involvement
Cyber Competitions
There are numerous cyber operations teams competing in annual exercises. These competitions
challenge students and refine their skill sets outside of the classroom. Plus, they serve as a great
resume booster. Attend the start of year cyber briefing for more information and check out our
Cyber Operations Home to learn more.
Some students may avoid cyber competitions because of lacking cybersecurity expertise. We
recommend students get involved anyways and sign up for the Cyber Maneuvers courses to
strengthen their skills and learn our tools.
Ambassadors in Gold
CyberPatriot is a youth cyber-defense competition similar to Hivestorm. Some of our current cyber
operators participated in this program during middle and high school. Mentoring CyberPatriot
teams is a great way to get involved and share the love of Christ with younger students. If you
want to shape the next generation of cyber patriots, we would love to have you.
Events & Speakers
There are numerous cyber awareness events on campus, including cyber-themed movie nights,
campus scavenger hunts and challenges, the Cyber Speaker Series with talks from industry
professionals, and various other cyber seminars. Be on the lookout for email announcements
about these events. If you are interested in helping create these events, please reach out.
Jacket Works
Modeled after Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works and Boeing’s Phantom Works, Jacket Works is
the think tank, innovator, and special projects team the Cyber Center uses to accomplish unique
cyber endeavors not undertaken before at the University.
Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS)
The mission of the Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) student chapter at Cedarville is to provide a
supportive community, mentorship, training and skill development, networking opportunities, and
access to industry and academic leaders for females in the field of cybersecurity and computer
science. Please email the WiCyS officers at wicys_[email protected] for more information.
23
Useful Websites
Center for the Advancement of Cybersecurity – Home of the Cyber Center.
Cyber Instagram – Follow the Center for the Advancement of Cybersecurity at @cucybercenter.
Cyber Operations Home – Home of Cedarville Cyber Operations.
MyCU – Student portal for all things Cedarville.
Selecting a Computer – Faculty recommendations for laptops.
Cedarville VPN Guide – How to connect to the Campus Area Network (CAN).
Better Canvas & Tasks for Canvas – Two browser extensions must-haves for Canvas.
Cyber Visualizations – University of Cincinnati resources for explaining Cyber Persistence Theory.
24