TROY, NY — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Elan Smolar Eisenberg (senior ’25), a student double majoring in computer science and information technology and web science (ITWS), has been selected as one of 12 members of the inaugural U.S. Women’s Cyber Team, the college announced in a press release.
Smolar Eisenberg will travel to Tokyo with her teammates in November to compete in the Kunoichi Cyber Games at the Code Blue Conference 2024 alongside teams from Japan, Europe and the United Kingdom.
“I am proud and honored to represent my country in Tokyo and to be part of the first U.S. Women’s Cyber Team,” Eisenberg said in a press release. “I am grateful to the U.S. Cyber Games for creating this unique opportunity for women to work together in cybersecurity. Wish us luck in Tokyo!”
To be included on the team, Eisenberg was assessed on her skills in attack and defense, vulnerability management, patch management and forensics, the press release said. Leadership, teamwork and other workplace skills were also considered.
Eisenberg fell in love with computers at a young age – by third grade, she had taught herself Javascript and Python, the press release said. In high school, she took various computer science and engineering courses and realized she wanted to go to a technical university like RPI.
“I am fortunate to receive such an excellent education at RPI,” Eisenberg said in the press release. “I am also extremely grateful for the support of the Rensselaer Cybersecurity Collaboratory (RCC) and my coach, Dr. Callahan.”
“Dr. Callahan informed me of this opportunity and supported me with resources and guidance along the way,” she continued. “The RCC is an exceptional community and a powerhouse of hard-working students who I have had the honor of competing alongside.”
Brian Callahan, ’15G, ’18 Ph.D., is director of the RCC and director of the graduate program at ITWS. The RCC is a research laboratory specializing in cybersecurity, the press release states.
Research projects included quantum security, supported by RPI’s IBM Quantum System One, the only one in the world housed on a university campus, developing cybersecurity awareness training, and more, officials said. The RCC is also home to RPI’s top capture-the-flag team, including a school ranked No. 1 nationally in the 2023 National Cyber League Cyber Power Rankings.
“All of us at the RCC are extremely proud of Elan,” Callahan said in the press release. “We are excited to support her as she represents the United States, the RCC, ITWS and RPI on the world stage. Her selection to the U.S. Women’s Cyber Team is a testament to the RCC’s continued excellence as a national leader in successful cybersecurity capture-the-flag tournaments and solidifies the RCC’s reputation as a globally influential provider of cybersecurity research and education.”
The US Women’s Cyber Team was created to reduce gender inequality in cybersecurity by promoting female role models and building a talent pool. Members compete in the capture-the-flag competition, where they find vulnerabilities in a system and attack and defense formats, while honing their cybersecurity skills.
Their virtual training will begin this summer under the guidance of a head coach and assistant head coach. The Kunoichi Games will not only allow athletes to compete, but also provide an opportunity to network with peers and teach participants the value of cybersecurity competitions and career opportunities in the field.
