Okaloosa Tech Students Excel in Cyber Competition

From the classroom to the national stage — OTC cybersecurity students are proving they’re ready for the workforce.

Okaloosa Tech Students Excel in Cyber Competition

In Brief:

👩‍💻 Who: Okaloosa Technical College students led by instructor Daniel Sligar
🛡 What: National recognition in the National Cyber League competition
📅 When: Fall 2025 competition season
📍 Where: National competition involving colleges and universities nationwide
🚀 Why: To demonstrate real-world cybersecurity skills and career readiness


Students from Okaloosa Technical College are gaining national attention after earning top-tier recognition in the National Cyber League (NCL) Fall 2025 Competition, one of the country’s premier real-world cybersecurity challenges.

Led by instructor Daniel Sligar, OTC students competed against more than 8,520 students from 490 colleges and universities nationwide, ultimately earning a #45 national ranking in the NCL Cyber Power Rankings — a notable achievement for a technical college program.

The National Cyber League, powered by Cyber Skyline, is designed to mirror real-world cybersecurity work performed daily by industry professionals. Through individual and team-based challenges, students test and strengthen skills in areas such as network defense, penetration testing, log analysis, and threat detection, while also earning detailed skills reports that can be shared with future employers.



OTC Director Jon Williams said the recognition reflects both student dedication and the strength of the program.

“This achievement reflects the dedication of our students and the exceptional instruction they receive at Okaloosa Technical College,” Williams said. “Competing at a national level against colleges and universities across the country is a testament to their commitment, teamwork, and readiness for cybersecurity careers.”

The students recognized for their outstanding performance include Dylan Waters, Stephen Miner, Jordan Wenner-Foy, Grafton Lang, Ren Moore, Devin Barron, Steven Williamson, Dade Frigon, and David Curd.

Superintendent Marcus Chamber praised the students and emphasized the role of career and technical education in preparing students for high-demand careers.

“Their success demonstrates the power of career and technical education to prepare students for high-skill, high-demand careers,” Chamber said. “We are incredibly proud of their hard work and the leadership provided by Mr. Sligar.”

National Cyber League Commissioner Dr. David Zeichick also commended the OTC team, noting that their performance reflects both technical skill and a commitment to professional growth within the cybersecurity field.

Officials say the achievement underscores Okaloosa Technical College’s growing reputation for preparing students with workforce-ready skills in rapidly evolving industries, including cybersecurity — one of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields.



The post Okaloosa Tech Students Excel in Cyber Competition appeared first on Mid Bay News.

Be the first to comment on "Okaloosa Tech Students Excel in Cyber Competition"

Leave a comment