Adekola part of UNG team that places sixth in NSA Cyber Exercise

DAHLONEGA, GA (05/03/2021)– The University of North Georgia (UNG) finished sixth out of 11 schools participating in the National Security Agency Cyber Exercise (NCX) held virtually April 8-10.

Ayomide Adekola of Loganville, GA, was one of the UNG participants in NCX. 

After entering as an expo team in 2019, this was the first year UNG participated as a competition team. UNG faced off against the nation’s five other senior military colleges, three service academies and two National Security Agency (NSA) units. 

UNG’s team included 17 cadets and eight civilian students, including 11 seniors. Fourteen of these students are eligible to compete again next year. 

“It’s a terrific training platform for our future cyber leaders,” said Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science and director of the Center for Cyber Operations Education. “Our students are willing to try something new and get out there and learn. That’s what it takes to really excel in cyber.” 

The three-day NCX competition included cyber combat, forensics and policy modules. The event “helps to develop and test cybersecurity skills, teamwork, planning, communication, critical thinking, and decision-making,” according to the NSA website. 

UNG launched a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree in fall 2018 and is designated by the NSA and Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.

Positioned in the fastest-growing region of the state, the University of North Georgia comprises five campuses united by a single mission focused on academic excellence and academic and co-curricular programs that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. The University of North Georgia is a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia. With more than 20,000 students, the University of North Georgia is one of the state’s largest public universities. The university offers more than 100 programs of study ranging from certificate and associate degrees to professional doctoral programs.