51��������

Developing an accessible cybersecurity training session

September 24, 2025

Alaska’s remote microgrids face unique challenges to their energy infrastructure — the essential systems and networks that generate, transport and distribute energy to homes, businesses and industries.

As energy systems become increasingly digitized, they are also exposed to serious cybersecurity threats. Cybersecurity is no longer just a government or technology industry issue; it directly impacts the safety and reliability of the systems that power communities.

Strengthening energy cybersecurity is vital to protecting critical infrastructure and reducing vulnerabilities everywhere, including Alaska.

In order to hone their cybersecurity skills, to learn about energy issues in Alaska and to help empower communities with cybersecurity knowledge, a group of ACEP interns worked together this summer to develop an accessible cybersecurity training session they titled, “Capture the Flag,” or CTF.

Under the guidance of John Haverlack, information security lead with ACEP, Glen Ankney, Ela Ilic, Elliott Lewandowski and Nebiyou Tamiru developed and deployed a CTF event, where points were earned by players completing challenges and submitting flags.

These challenges focused on the use of the Linux operating system and other open-source software, network security and reverse engineering — the process of deconstructing systems to exploit weaknesses.

After initially learning about computer hardware, operating systems, networking, web interfaces and defense skills, the four interns split in two groups to compete against each other on offensive and defensive skills in cybersecurity.

Using the knowledge gained from this initial experience, the team then focused on developing an effective learning experience to teach beginners basic cybersecurity concepts. Their effort culminated in a four-hour CTF event, where participants from within ACEP and the wider campus community came together to compete.

“This internship provided a great environment for me to actively use what I have learned through school,” said Ankney, who is a senior studying cybersecurity at the Pennsylvania State University where he also serves as the corporate outreach chair of its .

The hands-on experience to build network infrastructure was valuable for Lewandowski, who is a senior at the 51�������� studying computer science and who is the secretary of the 51�������� Cyber Security Club.

“It gave me a deeper understanding of network vulnerabilities and how to defend against them,” Lewandowski said.

The team also enjoyed learning together and from each other.

“I was lucky to have the opportunity to work with other students my age who are knowledgeable in computer science and cybersecurity,” said Ilic, a junior at Loyola University Chicago studying data science and who is also a member of its . “I learned a great deal from them and John both technically and by observing their problem-solving perspectives.”

Tamiru, who is a junior at George Mason University studying computer science, agreed. He is now interested in joining a cybersecurity team driven by artificial intelligence.

“Through working as a team, I strengthened my interpersonal skills, too,” he added.

The ACEP internship experience also gave the team members the confidence in themselves to pursue their desires and keep improving in the field.

Learning other aspects of running a live, in-person competition was a bonus.

“All the planning, set-up, implementation and running the actual day of the event — I learned a lot that I can use in my career field,” Tamiru said.

It also opened their eyes to different perspectives and energized them to help others with what they learned and to work with their own communities.

“After seeing how much work ACEP does for communities in Alaska, I want to be able to make that same impact and use that knowledge to help others back home, whether it’s cybersecurity, microcontrollers (a small computer on a single chip) or even AI,” Tamiru said.

The team believes that through hands-on, accessible training like the CTF challenge, participants, regardless of experience, can learn valuable skills in areas like cryptography (a technique of securing communication by converting plain text into unintelligible text), computer forensics (dissecting the behavior or obscure details of a program to answer a specific question) and network defense.

“These skills not only apply to protecting Alaska’s energy systems but also help individuals take control of their personal digital security,” Ilic said.

An initiative like this could build local expertise, support energy resilience and empower communities to meet tomorrow’s challenges with knowledge and confidence.

This internship was funded by the U.S. through ACEP’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. View the on ACEP’s YouTube channel. For more information on this project, contact John Haverlack at uaf-acep-infosec@alaska.edu.