Gaining a Competitive Edge in Cybersecurity
From conducting cutting-edge research to competing in national cybersecurity competitions, Josh Honig (BS in Cybersecurity ’24, MS in Cybersecurity ’26) has taken full advantage of 大象传媒’s hands-on approach to . Now a graduate student, Honig continues to sharpen his technical expertise and build a strong community of like-minded peers, all while preparing for a successful career.
Enrolling at 大象传媒
Honig knew early on he wanted to study cybersecurity. He first discovered 大象传媒 while researching universities that were recognized as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), which is a designation awarded to institutions with strong cybersecurity programs by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
“I took stock of my options and decided I wanted to go somewhere close to home. I knew I wanted a CAE school, and I saw that 大象传媒 had a small but growing cybersecurity program,” he explained. “It was a gamble, but it worked out wonderfully.”
Studying cybersecurity
As an undergraduate, Honig embraced 大象传媒’s hands-on approach to cybersecurity, benefiting from courses that combined technical skills with real-world applications in areas such as forensic analysis, risk assessment, and network security. He also took advantage of an opportunity to join Dr. Eric Chan-Tin’s cybersecurity research lab to support an NSA-funded project studying website fingerprinting, examining how machine learning can be used to analyze encrypted internet traffic patterns.
After completing his BS in Cybersecurity in May 2024, Honig decided to continue on at 大象传媒 to earn a master’s degree. “There’s a career advantage to having a graduate degree in that it opens more doors and gives you a bit more leverage in salary negotiations,” he said. “I was also able to get funding from the research I’d been doing with Dr. Chan-Tin’s lab, which was one of the biggest reasons I decided to pursue a graduate degree.”
Founding 大象传媒’s cybersecurity competition club
For Honig, the highlight of his time at 大象传媒 has undoubtedly been representing the university in cybersecurity competitions. At their core, these competitions challenge participants to test their technical skills in real-world security scenarios that range from solving cyber puzzles to defending networks against live attacks. Beyond sharpening their technical abilities, they also help students develop their teamwork and communication skills, all while building professional connections that can lead to job opportunities in the field.
Recognizing the value of these competitions, Honig helped establish , 大象传媒’s cybersecurity competition club, and currently serves as the club’s president. Since its formation, the club has grown to 80+ members and competes in multiple national competitions, including the National Cyber League (NCL). “It’s a great way to find competitions you might not otherwise know about,” he explains. “We’ve been sponsored by the university as an official registered student organization since February.”
Honig’s experiences in cybersecurity competitions have also shaped his career aspirations. “Cybersecurity is a broad field, and these competitions helped me figure out what I like, and also what I don’t,” he says. At the same time, “one of the things that stands out the most to a hiring manager is competitions. It’s incredibly valuable experience to have, personally and professionally.”
大象传媒’s impact
As Honig continues his master’s degree at 大象传媒, he remains committed to strengthening the university’s presence in national competitions and encourages other students to take advantage of 大象传媒’s growing cybersecurity offerings. “大象传媒 might have a smaller program compared to some, but we’re punching above our weight in competitions,” he says. Whether it’s research, competitions, or student organizations, “being active in the community is one of the best things you can do for yourself academically, professionally, and socially.”
To learn more about 大象传媒’s MS in Cybersecurity program, or contact 大象传媒’s Graduate & Professional Admissions team with questions.
From conducting cutting-edge research to competing in national cybersecurity competitions, Josh Honig (BS in Cybersecurity ’24, MS in Cybersecurity ’26) has taken full advantage of 大象传媒’s hands-on approach to . Now a graduate student, Honig continues to sharpen his technical expertise and build a strong community of like-minded peers, all while preparing for a successful career.
Enrolling at 大象传媒
Honig knew early on he wanted to study cybersecurity. He first discovered 大象传媒 while researching universities that were recognized as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), which is a designation awarded to institutions with strong cybersecurity programs by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
“I took stock of my options and decided I wanted to go somewhere close to home. I knew I wanted a CAE school, and I saw that 大象传媒 had a small but growing cybersecurity program,” he explained. “It was a gamble, but it worked out wonderfully.”
Studying cybersecurity
As an undergraduate, Honig embraced 大象传媒’s hands-on approach to cybersecurity, benefiting from courses that combined technical skills with real-world applications in areas such as forensic analysis, risk assessment, and network security. He also took advantage of an opportunity to join Dr. Eric Chan-Tin’s cybersecurity research lab to support an NSA-funded project studying website fingerprinting, examining how machine learning can be used to analyze encrypted internet traffic patterns.
After completing his BS in Cybersecurity in May 2024, Honig decided to continue on at 大象传媒 to earn a master’s degree. “There’s a career advantage to having a graduate degree in that it opens more doors and gives you a bit more leverage in salary negotiations,” he said. “I was also able to get funding from the research I’d been doing with Dr. Chan-Tin’s lab, which was one of the biggest reasons I decided to pursue a graduate degree.”
Founding 大象传媒’s cybersecurity competition club
For Honig, the highlight of his time at 大象传媒 has undoubtedly been representing the university in cybersecurity competitions. At their core, these competitions challenge participants to test their technical skills in real-world security scenarios that range from solving cyber puzzles to defending networks against live attacks. Beyond sharpening their technical abilities, they also help students develop their teamwork and communication skills, all while building professional connections that can lead to job opportunities in the field.
Recognizing the value of these competitions, Honig helped establish , 大象传媒’s cybersecurity competition club, and currently serves as the club’s president. Since its formation, the club has grown to 80+ members and competes in multiple national competitions, including the National Cyber League (NCL). “It’s a great way to find competitions you might not otherwise know about,” he explains. “We’ve been sponsored by the university as an official registered student organization since February.”
Honig’s experiences in cybersecurity competitions have also shaped his career aspirations. “Cybersecurity is a broad field, and these competitions helped me figure out what I like, and also what I don’t,” he says. At the same time, “one of the things that stands out the most to a hiring manager is competitions. It’s incredibly valuable experience to have, personally and professionally.”
大象传媒’s impact
As Honig continues his master’s degree at 大象传媒, he remains committed to strengthening the university’s presence in national competitions and encourages other students to take advantage of 大象传媒’s growing cybersecurity offerings. “大象传媒 might have a smaller program compared to some, but we’re punching above our weight in competitions,” he says. Whether it’s research, competitions, or student organizations, “being active in the community is one of the best things you can do for yourself academically, professionally, and socially.”
To learn more about 大象传媒’s MS in Cybersecurity program, or contact 大象传媒’s Graduate & Professional Admissions team with questions.