Hardin-Simmons University Partners with Dyess AFB for Cyber Security Training

On Monday, September 25, 2023, Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) computer science students and Dyess AFB Airmen came together to learn with and from each other. The day’s goal was to build working networks from scratch with a mail server, web server, and file server.

Participants were split into two groups and put in separate rooms on Monday to build their networks. Datroo Technologies kindly donated computers for this endeavor, while HSU’s IT and technology departments provided the other necessary accessories.

Over four hours, HSU students and Airmen worked together, problem-solving and building their individual networks and servers.

To continue their cyber security training, the groups will reconvene to test each other’s work and attempt to hack and dismantle each other’s networks.

The best way to understand where systems are at their strongest and weakest is to build them yourself and then, in turn, try to break them to make them even more secure.

Wade Ashby, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Information Systems at HSU, shared, “This is a great learning opportunity for our students and the Dyess Airmen.” He went on to say, “By working together, they learn as they go and figure it out, adjusting to real-time problems rather than a standard textbook scenario.”

Hardin-Simmons is always happy to facilitate partnerships that benefit the community and HSU students.

The time and date for the upcoming “hack-a-thon,” where the groups will attempt to hack each other’s networks, is to be scheduled.