The annual Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Conference is a flagship event known for advancing professional development and fostering camaraderie among women and their allies in cybersecurity. At the 2025 conference, computer science (CS) graduate student Ilakkiya Vijayakumar, an active member of GW’s growing WiCyS chapter, attended in person and took part in technical workshops, keynote sessions, and the highly competitive Capture the Flag (CTF) competition. Among more than 600 participants from around the world, she earned an impressive second-place finish in the competition.
“Placing second among over 600 incredibly talented women was a surreal and significant moment for me. It made me realize the power of persistence, the value of my skills, and the importance of believing in myself. Standing on that stage, hearing the cheers from over a thousand women in the room, it honestly felt like a dream come true. It was a powerful reminder of how far I’ve come and how much more I want to achieve,” said Vijayakumar.
Held in Dallas in April 2025, the WiCyS Conference drew in over 2,300 in-person attendees and 1,000 virtual registrants. Attending in person gave Vijayakumar a unique opportunity to network with peers, professionals, and leaders across sectors. She described the energy, support, and shared passion at the event as “infectious” and said being surrounded by such an inspiring community was empowering.
All conference participants were invited to take on realistic, industry-relevant challenges in the virtual CTF competition coordinated by the National Cyber League (NCL). Over 24 hours, competitors tested their cybersecurity skills in areas like web exploitation, reverse engineering, and digital forensics.
“I relied heavily on the foundational skills I’ve developed through self-learning, my coursework at GW, and hands-on experience,” Vijayakumar said. “Strategic thinking, time management, and a solid understanding of core cybersecurity concepts helped me navigate the tougher challenges. It was exciting to see how everything I’ve been learning came together in a high-pressure, real-world scenario.”
Through the WiCyS 2025 Conference, CTF competition, and other activities she’s engaged in through GW’s WiCyS chapter, Vijayakumar secured an internship this summer conducting penetration testing, where she’ll simulate cyberattacks to identify and help fix security vulnerabilities in systems and networks. “Being part of this chapter has been instrumental in shaping my cybersecurity journey. It gave me a platform to compete, connect, and grow,” she said.
Founded in 2022, GW’s WiCyS chapter has grown to more than 100 members, helping build a strong, inclusive cybersecurity community across the university. By developing confidence and hands-on skills through technical workshops, speaker panels, CTF competitions, and networking events, the chapter helps retain women in a field where they are still underrepresented.
As the chapter’s faculty advisor, CS Associate Professor Arkady Yerukhimovich emphasized its broader impact: “This chapter has grown to include students across the university, including GW Engineering, the College of Professional Studies, and the Elliott School of International Affairs, and allows these students to establish relationships and participate in events that will bolster their educational and career goals. We are very proud of the growth of this chapter and are thankful for the student organizers who make it all possible.”
Vijayakumar’s achievement highlights not only her own skills but also the growing impact of GW’s vibrant and supportive WiCyS student chapter. As the chapter expands, it is poised to play an even greater role in equipping women and allies in cybersecurity with the confidence, skills, and connections to make a lasting impact on the field.