UNO Nullify Hosts 30-Hour Cybersecurity Capture the Flag Competition

Student Hackers Build Community at University of Nebraska at Omaha

At the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), student participants in a cybersecurity competition tackled thirty distinct challenges over thirty grueling hours, working to decode audio signals, inspect digital images, and investigate vulnerable computer networks. Organized by Nullify, the student cybersecurity organization, the 30/30 Capture the Flag (CTF) event marked the thirtieth anniversary of the College of Information Science & Technology (CIST), unomaha.edu reported.

The competition placed students in scenarios mirroring real-world IT dilemmas. Participants examined torn scraps of paper to simulate recovering discarded passwords and picked padlocks to learn physical security measures for server rooms.

Hands-On Experience Beyond the Classroom

Grant Skoumal, vice president of Nullify and one of the event organizers, emphasized the core purpose of the exercises.

Critical thinking is one of the major skills in this. It’s like a puzzle. You may know the skill, but in the end, you must figure out how to use it to solve the puzzle.

The event drew attendees from computer science, criminal justice, and engineering. Organizers designed the challenges to be accessible, noting that students do not need prior technical backgrounds to take part. Nullify provides instruction during weekly meetings to help beginners gain confidence.

August Zorrilla Mendez, a cybersecurity graduate student and former club officer, recalled spending eight hours attempting to capture a single flag during his initial CTF outing. That persistence eventually helped him find his footing in the academic discipline.

Professional Development and Industry Networking

Beyond competitions, Nullify connects members with industry professionals through resume workshops, LinkedIn profile reviews, and guest speaker events. Skoumal credited the student organization with helping him secure two internships, including a role at the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE), where he analyzed agricultural equipment vulnerabilities.

Nicolas Smith, a senior and club officer who helped design challenges for the anniversary event, noted that organizing the competition helped sharpen his leadership skills by focusing on peer mentorship.

For Andy Wu, the group’s treasurer, the primary value lies in peer collaboration and practical technical training that complements standard coursework. The organization continues to expand its reach across campus disciplines, preparing students for both regional competitions and professional careers.

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