A realistic and engaging cybersecurity competition that helps prepare collegiate students to protect vital energy systems.
Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response
February 27, 2025
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On February 22, 2025, 100 students from 56 universities competed virtually in the Conquer the Hill® Command Competition. It was an exciting event that is part of the CyberForce® Program hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) and conducted by Argonne National Laboratory. The Command Competition challenged participants’ technical skills by performing tasks that increased in difficulty. Participants gained practical, hands-on experience in information technology by building and managing a simulated server and associated hardware in the role of a cybersecurity professional at an energy company.
After 8 hours of problem-solving, Xander Newlun from the University of Texas at San Antonio claimed the title. In second place was Noah Jacobson from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, followed by Caleb Gindelberger from Baldwin Wallace University in third place.
“Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 DOE CyberForce® Conquer the Hill® Command Competition,” said DOE’s Acting Under Secretary for Infrastructure, Steven Winberg. “This competition is a critical training ground for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals in the energy sector. These students are not just competing; they are honing the skills necessary to defend our nation's energy infrastructure and secure our future.”
Kirsten Laurin-Kovitz, Associate Laboratory Director of Argonne's Nuclear Technologies and National Security Directorate, stated: "Competitions like the Command Competition are essential for preparing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. They inspire creativity and innovation among students, helping to ensure that the United States remains competitive in protecting our vital systems."
Preparing Future Cybersecurity Leaders
The CyberForce Program seeks to inspire and develop the next generation of cyber defenders to address a growing challenge: the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals to defend America’s energy infrastructure and assets. According to CyberSeek’s 2024 Cybersecurity Supply and Demand Heatmap, almost 460,000 U.S. cybersecurity jobs are unfilled. Programs like CyberForce and the Command Competition assist students by giving them insight into various energy, operational and information technology, and cybersecurity scenarios, cultivating a skilled cybersecurity workforce critical for protecting the nation's energy infrastructure.
The Conquer the Hill Command Competition is a task-based competition that focuses on information technology, system administration, and security skills. Participants virtually simulate the daily responsibilities of an IT administrator and learn to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application. The Command Competition provides students additional exposure and an opportunity to test and hone their technical skills.
A National Effort to Keep America Safe
The CyberForce Program works to strengthen collegiate students’ skills and help prepare future cybersecurity professionals who will protect the systems that power our daily lives, including America’s energy infrastructure. As cyber threats evolve, workforce development efforts like the CyberForce Program help build a pipeline of qualified individuals, the future defenders of the energy sector.
For more information about the CyberForce Program and upcoming events, visit https://cyberforce.energy.gov.