Local Student Excels in Cyber Security Competition
Stacy Bruch, a local student in Cyber Security and Network Administration at Pine Technical and Community College (PTCC), has achieved recognition by securing a position in the top ten of Palo Alto’s ‘Secure the Future’ competition. Palo Alto, a prominent leader in the cyber security industry, organized this competition to challenge 298 college students, representing community colleges, four-year institutions, universities, and Ivy League schools. The competition aimed to address cyber threats targeting vulnerable industries, including energy, transportation, finance, healthcare, and education.
Beginning on October 14, participants embarked on a guided, self-paced academic journey, immersing themselves in advanced cybersecurity technologies and defense methods. Stacy Bruch presented a compelling analysis focusing on fortifying the energy sector against cyber threats. Her presentation focused on strategies addressing sector vulnerabilities, the utilization of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and the importance of intelligence sharing in enhancing cybersecurity.
The competition brought the top 10 finalists, including Stacy, to present their research to a panel of Palo Alto Networks experts at the company’s headquarters in Santa Clara, California. This invaluable opportunity not only showcased Stacy’s expertise but also positioned her and her peers for potential job interviews, both for full-time positions and internships at Palo Alto Networks.
The final level of the competition demonstrated the high caliber of talent among the top 10 finalists, as all participants were within 20 points of each other, underscoring the competitive nature and proficiency demonstrated by Stacy Bruch and her fellow competitors.
“Stacy is a dedicated parent and student that continuously challenges herself in the world of Cyber Security. She is a triple major in Cyber, Networking and Liberal Arts. She has taken on a great challenge and landed in the top 10 worldwide for her Palo Alto and Cyber research. We could not be prouder of her great accomplishment, and I know there will be even more in her future.” – Chris Morgan, Cyber Security and Networking Instructor.
Stacy volunteers with Master Gardeners U of M Extension in Pine County, and she is a Girl Scouts River Valleys Juliette leader and volunteer. She is part of Phi Theta Kappa, art club, and the Cyber Defense team at PTCC. In the future, she hopes to launch a non-profit dedicated to empowering youth through leadership development.