W&M Students Excel in Cybersecurity Through Hands-On Experience

William & Mary computer science students are making their mark in cybersecurity by translating classroom lessons into real-world success through national competitions and military partnerships. Their stories highlight the department’s emphasis on applied learning and Professor Matthew Chapman’s role in fostering student engagement in this fast-growing field.

Senior Camden Good found his passion for cybersecurity late in his junior year after taking Applied Cybersecurity with Dr. Chapman. Over spring break, he immersed himself in the subject and went on to place around 160th out of more than 13,000 competitors in the National Cyber League (NCL). He achieved particularly strong results in digital forensics, where he ranked 47th nationally.

“Cyber feels like a live combat match, almost like a chess game,” Good said. “You’re solving a puzzle. It’s you versus somebody else. They’re trying to stay hidden and you’re trying to find them.”

Good’s performance led to a rare opportunity through William & Mary’s partnership with the Cyber Corps. During a two-week program at Camp Pendleton, he worked alongside more than 750 military cybersecurity professionals, finishing fifth in a capture-the-flag competition and earning an Army Certificate of Achievement, one of only about 15 awarded. The program focused on critical infrastructure protection, post-exploitation analysis, and digital forensics.

Zachary Bowden, who arrived at W&M already interested in cybersecurity, has expanded that interest through Chapman’s courses and international experiences. His first class at W&M, Introduction to Programming with Dr. Chapman, introduced him to the National Cyber League through course assignments. Later, he joined Dr. Chapman’s study abroad program in Galway, Ireland, where students explored the business and policy of cybersecurity, including risk assessment and continuity planning.

“If you can break into something, or know how to, you’re much better equipped to secure it,” Bowden said.

Dr. Chapman’s teaching approach centers on hands-on experience and accessibility. By integrating competitions like NCL into his courses and connecting students with industry and military partners, he provides clear entry points into the cybersecurity field for students at every level.

Both Good and Bowden emphasized that cybersecurity is more approachable than it may seem. The National Cyber League’s training platform offers about 20 hours of interactive modules covering topics such as password cracking, network enumeration, and computer forensics, giving beginners a chance to explore the field and build foundational skills.

For Good, the experience has shaped his future path. “I’m very sure that cybersecurity is what I want to do for a career,” he said, noting a growing interest in government work and infrastructure protection. His time at Camp Pendleton also provided valuable professional connections that have already opened doors for future opportunities.

Through courses that balance theory and practice, international study programs, and strong institutional partnerships, William & Mary’s computer science department is preparing students to lead in cybersecurity, one challenge, puzzle, and capture-the-flag at a time.