News Release

Senator Carper and Governor Markell Congratulate Wilmington University’s DC3 Challenge Winners

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - New Castle, DE

Senator Tom Carper, Governor Jack Markell and State Chief Information Officer Jim Sills III congratulated the first place winners of the Cyber Security DC3 Digital Forensics Challenge competition last Friday at a private reception in Wilmington. The team of four Wilmington University students came in first place in the undergraduate category and third overall beating out miilitary, civilian and government teams (out of 1153 entries from 56 countries). An international competition co-sponsored by the Department of Defense, the SANS Institute and IMPACT (International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber-Threats), the DC3 Challenge was launched in 2006 and encourages participants to solve a hypothetical, challenging forensic issue.

Wilmington University’s team consisted of coach Chris Shanahan (Adjunct professor of Computer and Network Security and Wilmington University alum), Clay Batchelor, Roman Sheriff, Enjolokee Jones and Michael Escobar. They registered only two months before the challenge deadline (most teams worked on the challenge for at least six months) and worked diligently towards solving the hypothetical computer forensics examination and analysis of a federal crime investigation.

“I would like to recognize the accomplishments of these four students,” said Jim Sills III, State Chief Information Officer, “And congratulate the coach Chris Shanahan and Wilmington University. Wilmington University is one of the few institutions in the area to offer [a Computer and Network Security] degree and we need more cyber security experts in the field.”

Governor Jack Markell welcomed the four students and their families. “This is a great achievement and one you should all be very proud of,” said Markell, “You have contributed to the field of cyber security, a field of great importance and now because of you more students across the state of Delaware will be drawn to this field. You are all true role models.” Governor Markell also praised Senator Tom Carper for his tireless efforts to raise awareness of the importance of cyber security. “ I would also like to say thanks to Senator Carper for making Delaware a pilot state in this movement.”

“Over the years we have faced new and increasingly challenging threats to our nation’s security,” said Senator Tom Carper, “These threats only highlight the importance of cyber security and college students just like you. We need a team like you to play for our defense.” Senator Carper then congratulated each of the four gentlemen individually. “I would also like to thank Chris Shanahan, the team coach, and Mark Hufe, the program coordinator of the Computer and Network Security degree at Wilmington University, who encouraged the team to take part in the competition. You should be very proud of these students and your institution.”

As part of the prize the Wilmington University team has been awarded an all-expense paid trip to the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Conference in St. Louis. They will also appear on a podcast, which will be aired from the Pentagon, and are scheduled to appear at a future Delaware chapter of InfraGard meeting. The students will also be appearing on a Wilmington University new podcast show that will be aired later this month. Check the Wilmington University homepage for details.

To learn more about the DC3 Challenge visit http://www.dc3.mil/2009_challenge.

For more information on the Computer and Network Security degree at Wilmington University visit http://www.wilmu.edu/itac/cns.aspx.

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