Developing an accessible cybersecurity training session
ACEP summer interns Nebiyou Tamiru (speaking), Glen Ankney, Ela Ilic and Elliott Lewandowski discuss their team project during their presentation.
September 24, 2025
Alaska鈥檚 remote microgrids face unique challenges to their energy infrastructure 鈥 the essential systems and networks that generate, transport and distribute energy to homes, businesses and industries.
As energy systems become increasingly digitized, they are also exposed to serious cybersecurity threats. Cybersecurity is no longer just a government or technology industry issue; it directly impacts the safety and reliability of the systems that power communities.
Strengthening energy cybersecurity is vital to protecting critical infrastructure and reducing vulnerabilities everywhere, including Alaska.
In order to hone their cybersecurity skills, to learn about energy issues in Alaska and to help empower communities with cybersecurity knowledge, a group of ACEP interns worked together this summer to develop an accessible cybersecurity training session they titled, 鈥淐apture the Flag,鈥 or CTF.
Under the guidance of John Haverlack, information security lead with ACEP, Glen Ankney, Ela Ilic, Elliott Lewandowski and Nebiyou Tamiru developed and deployed a CTF event, where points were earned by players completing challenges and submitting flags.
These challenges focused on the use of the Linux operating system and other open-source software, network security and reverse engineering 鈥 the process of deconstru