RazorHack Attracts 130 Competitors for Weekend of Cybersecurity Competition

Austin Cook

Group photo of all the RazorHack contestants who placed, alongside the event organizers.

The RazorHack Cyber Challenge, hosted by registered student organization CyberHogs, drew over 130 participants from across the country for three days of cybersecurity immersion Oct. 25-27. The RazorHack welcomed students, cybersecurity professionals and industry experts to a series of Capture-the-Flag challenges, networking opportunities and panel discussions designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world cybersecurity demands.

"The RazorHack CTF was a great event for students and cyber professionals," said Chris Farnell, an assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science and event organizer. "The event offered participants a unique opportunity to engage directly with industry experts, learn from real-world cybersecurity scenarios and gain insights that can help shape future career paths. Bringing students and potential future employers together is always a powerful combination."

Friday evening's kickoff marked the start of RazorHack with presentations from industry leaders who provided insights on the evolving cybersecurity landscape. Farnell praised the event's networking environment and community-building atmosphere, describing it as an impactful experience.

The CTF challenges, which occupied much of the weekend, required participants to use a variety of cybersecurity skills, reverse engineering and packet analysis to problem-solving in a high-pressure, Jeopardy-style format. Henry Schmidt, another lead organizer and EECS student, explained, "RazorHack is a weekend-long cybersecurity competition … where you and your team spend a weekend working through different puzzles and challenges related to computer science and cybersecurity topics."

Schmidt highlighted that this year's challenges followed a cohesive storyline centered on the fictional "Razor Power Company," a nuclear power entity with issues ranging from a color-printing glitch to a simulated nuclear meltdown. Teams worked through scenarios that tested technical abilities, collaboration and critical thinking skills.

"Seeing all the excited participants go through all these challenges we set up for them and getting to help them through that learning process is really what makes it worthwhile," Schmidt said.

The event saw representation from multiple states, including New York and Mississippi, with 14 teams from the U of A alone. Schmidt noted that one of the most rewarding aspects of RazorHack is seeing participants' growth over the weekend.

"The biggest thing that we got in our survey … was a significant bump for the people that participated. They felt stronger about their abilities afterward, and that's what really matters," he said.

The inclusivity of RazorHack was also emphasized, encouraging participants with limited cybersecurity experience to jump into the challenges even if they lack a technical background. Schmidt mentioned that even high school students, some with minimal experience, exceeded expectations and performed on par with college teams, reinforcing RazorHack's mission to be an accessible learning platform.

As Arkansas' cybersecurity community expands, RazorHack continues to serve as a vital hub for networking and skill development.

"The Arkansas cybersecurity community is growing at a quick rate. I think more than people know," Schmidt said.

By attracting out-of-state teams and broadening the region's cybersecurity network, RazorHack aims to foster a community that supports job readiness and builds connections across the industry.

For more information on the RazorHack, go to razorhack.org.

Results of the RazorHack

1. The Boys Club
   • Score: 26,987
2. CyberDawgs 1
   • Score: 25,405
3. Digital Entropy
   • Score: 24,671