The symposium kicked off with keynote speakers Dr. Diba Hadi, Acting Principal Director for the Cyber Academic Engagement Office (CAEO), and Mr. Patrick Johnson, Workforce Innovation Director for the DoD Chief Information Officer, who discussed the ongoing workforce development initiatives designed to address national security challenges. The following panel discussions underscored the critical role of DoD-academic collaboration in recruiting and preparing top talent in cybersecurity and EMS, with programs such as internships and scholarships ensuring a continuous pipeline of skilled professionals for the defense sector. Together with VICEROY, the programs detailed on this day aim to rebuild and strengthen the military’s capabilities by developing a skilled, ready workforce for national defense.
Dr. Daniel “Rags” Ragsdale, former White House Deputy Assistant National Cyber Director and retired Army Colonel, delivered compelling remarks emphasizing the importance of these efforts, saying, “After decades of focusing on cyber workforce development, I’m beyond inspired by what VICEROY has accomplished. It has become clear that the R&E and CIO partnership in VICEROY is executing the most impactful cyber talent pipeline program the DoD has ever sponsored.”
The second day provided attendees, particularly students, insights into emerging career pathways in the cyber and EMS disciplines. “We aim to inspire VICEROY scholars to consider careers in public service, defense, and critical industries, addressing critical workforce and skills gaps as the next generation of cybersecurity and EMS leaders,” said Mr. Chester “CJ” Maciag, VICEROY’s National Director. High-profile DoD representatives, including Dr. Keith Kapels, technical director of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Lt. Col. Charles “Blackjack” Friesz from the U.S. Air Force 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, and Dr. Andre Slonopas from the Army Research Laboratory, discussed the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by the military and highlighted federal career opportunities in these critical fields. A special session by Mr. Rick Siebenaler from the Maritime Cybersecurity Institute further shared with students the threats to critical infrastructure at our nation’s ports. Mr. Siebenaler also shared details on the Cyber Boat Challenge, an exciting competition co-sponsored by Colorado State University, now encouraging all VICEROY scholars to apply for the December 2025 event.
Preceding the event, an academic poster competition showcased 28 teams from institutions nationwide, where VICEROY scholars presented innovative research addressing national defense priorities. Florida International University student Gabriel Moreno and his team won first place in the poster session for their study on ‘Malware Generation Using Generative AI.’ This exposure to real-world defense problems, alongside direct interaction with DoD leadership, emphasized the importance of resilience, discipline, and dedication—core elements of the warrior ethos.
In addition, the VICEROY Symposium Cyber Competition co-hosted with the University of Texas – San Antonio, challenged over 60 students’ agility and strategic thinking through fast-paced, simulated security tasks. “These types of events give students a chance to challenge themselves and gain practical experience with real-world cybersecurity skills. Students may have heard about these topics in class, but this competition allows them to experiment hands-on,” explained Dwayne Williams, Associate Director and competition monitor at CIAS/UTSA.
Competitions such as these are a key element of the experiential learning opportunities offered by VICEROY. They reinforce national security priorities by training and testing the next generation of cyber professionals, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and expertise needed to defend critical infrastructure and protect against emerging threats. To that end, congratulations were also extended during the closing award ceremony to the Cyber Cougs 1 team from Washington State University, for their outstanding performance in the 2024 VICEROY National Cyber Competition.
The VICEROY Symposium once again demonstrated the power of collaboration between academia, the Department of Defense, and the next generation of cybersecurity and EMS professionals. In closing remarks, Mr. Maciag stressed that ” By uniting academia and government in a quest to improve the efficiency and impact of academic engagement programs, the VICEROY Annual Symposium continues to lay the foundation for a more resilient and skilled cybersecurity workforce, ready to engage starting on Day One.”
About VICEROY
VICEROY is a mission-focused cyber-spectrum leadership development pathway accelerating talent through foundational skills, experiential learning, and operational application.
To learn more about the symposium and VICEROY, visit VICEROYscholars.org/symposium.
