University of Central Florida’s Tinley Park MHC secures top spot at the 2025 DOE CyberForce Competition®

Newswise — The University of Central Florida’s Tinley Park MHC proved victorious in DOE’s CyberForce Competition®, valiantly defending a simulated cyberattack on an offshore oil rig’s control system.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response (CESER) and DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory announced the winners of the eleventh CyberForce Competition® held on Nov. 15 in Tinley Park, Illinois. At the end of the competition, Tinley Park MHC from the University of Central Florida defeated 93 teams from 73 universities to claim first place.

• First Place – University of Central Florida – Tinley Park MHC
• Second Place – The University of Texas at San Antonio – The Roadrunners
• Third Place – Tennessee Tech University – CyberEagles

This year’s participants faced a simulated cyberattack on an offshore oil rig’s control system. Their mission: contain the threat, prevent disruptions and ensure the safety of both the crew and the equipment while keeping the rig operational. This annual event challenges college students to solve real-world cybersecurity problems, focusing on protecting the nation’s energy systems.

“Participants leave the CyberForce Competition® with a growth in knowledge, skills, and interest in both cybersecurity and the energy sector.” — Amanda Theel, Group Leader, Workforce Development

“I want to personally congratulate Tinley Park MHC from the University of Central Florida on their accomplishment,” said Alex Fitzsimmons, Acting Under Secretary of Energy and CESER Director. ​“Offshore oil rigs play a critical role in the global energy landscape. This year’s scenario helped prepare the next generation of cyber defenders to secure and strengthen our strategic fuel reserves. By investing in tomorrow’s experts, we’re cultivating the talent that will safeguard our energy future and fortify our nation’s infrastructure.”

The CyberForce Competition® offers more than just a challenge, it’s an opportunity to learn, grow and connect. Students gain hands-on experience with real-world technology, access specialized training and network with top industry professionals. DOE and Argonne congratulate all the competitors for demonstrating their potential as future leaders in cybersecurity.

“Participants leave the CyberForce Competition® with a growth in knowledge, skills, and interest in both cybersecurity and the energy sector,” said Amanda Theel, national laboratory lead of the CyberForce Program and group leader of Workforce Development in Argonne’s Strategic Security Sciences division. ​“To be able to witness the lightbulb moment when the participants connect cyber and energy is something worth remembering.”

The CyberForce® Program offers additional ways for college students to explore cybersecurity careers. From the virtual Conquer the Hill® competitions for solo participants to podcasts and newsletters, the program helps students build skills and connect with industry leaders. Learn more about these opportunities by visiting the CyberForce webpage.

The CyberForce Competition® is primarily funded by DOE’s CESER Office with support from DOE’s Office of Electricity and the National Nuclear Security Administration. Argonne is the lead national laboratory hosting the CyberForce Program. Other laboratories that support the program are DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories. Additional support is provided by industry and government sponsors, including Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Inductive Automation and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.

Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology by conducting leading-edge basic and applied research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://​ener​gy​.gov/​s​c​ience.