In celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month and in collaboration with the UC Cyber Security Summit held this year at UC Irvine, members of the Cyber@UCI Club experienced an immersive tour of a cutting-edge cybersecurity command center located inside of a semi-truck provided by one of our partners. This opportunity provided students with valuable hands-on exposure to advanced cybersecurity technologies and real-world scenarios.
Hands-on experience with advanced technologies
The student-led Cyber@UCI Club plays a key role in preparing students for careers in cybersecurity by offering opportunities to build skills, collaborate with peers, and engage with industry professionals. The tour provided students a peek at premier threat detection systems, firewalls, and security fabric platforms. Leading cybersecurity engineers and industry experts guided students through both virtual and physical displays, providing valuable insights into the tools used in real-world cybersecurity defense.
Learning beyond theory
Experts took the time to answer questions thoroughly, fostering a learning environment that went beyond theory. The tour provided students a deeper understanding of emerging trends in the industry and pathways into cybersecurity careers.
Emphasis on mentorship
On-site professionals emphasized the importance of mentorship, sharing their career experiences and offering guidance on certifications and free resources to help students develop their skills and prepare for future roles. In addition to the tour, the students were treated to snacks, beverages, and swag bags, creating an environment that balanced learning and networking.
Collaboration for future success
This event demonstrated the power of collaboration between academic institutions and industry leaders, helping the next generation of cybersecurity leaders build the practical skills needed to thrive in this growing field.
“Our takeaway is that this event made it clear that students are pretty eager to learn more about what industry is like and how to best prep for it beyond coursework, so we will be aiming to help facilitate this more,” said Steven Ngo, representative, Cyber@UCI Club.
Quotes from participants
“Helping the new generation understand key cybersecurity concepts and the different aspects of this field is incredibly rewarding. We didn’t have these opportunities growing up, so seeing the students engage so deeply is exciting.”
—Tony Alafar, Software Engineer and Tour Leader
“This knowledge exchange with students is a two-way street. It not only helps them learn, but it keeps us up to date on where the next generation is heading.”
—Ajinkia Joshi, Cybersecurity Expert and Tour Leader
“I learned a lot about the technologies industry leaders use—this experience opened my eyes to how vast the field of cybersecurity is.”
—Jacob Lee, Fourth-Year Computer Science Major, Cyber@UCI Club Vice President and Competition Team Member
“Having professionals care about our education and success is encouraging. It reinforces my belief that cybersecurity is the future and that we’re stepping into an important, growing field.”
—Cara Failer, Graduating Fourth-Year Software Engineering Major, Cyber@UCI Club and Competition Team Member
This unique semi-truck tour at UC Irvine not only equipped students with essential cybersecurity skills but also highlighted the importance of industry-academic collaboration in shaping the future of cybersecurity.
Learn more about cybersecurity across UC
- Read more about the 15th UC Cyber Security Summit that took take place on October 9, 2024, at UC Irvine: https://uctechnews.ucop.edu/2024-cyber-security-summit-wrap-up/
- Read more about program accomplishments and stories about cybersecurity, risk management, and other pertinent and timely topics from across the UC system in the 2023 Cyber Security Program Annual Report. The 2024 Annual Report released in January, 2025, will feature this story and much more.
Contact
Manager
Cyber Risk Coordination Center
UC Office of the President
Digital Risk Communications and Events Manager
UC Office of the President
Special thanks to contributing writer Aisha Murphy.