No phishing here…only three members of the ITM Club (Information Technology Management) who teamed-up and won first place and $12,000 at the Boise State University Cybersecurity Entrepreneur Challenge (CEC). This pitch competition was presented by the Venture College, College of Engineering Computer Science, and the Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity.
Mason Coler-Dark (cybersecurity major), Isabel Jacobs (ITM and business administration double major), and Tatum Jones (ITM major) eagerly prepared for the CEC with support from the faculty advisors from the ITM Club, Professor John Wee (lecturer) and Kevin Rank (lecturer). The team also had support from other faculty and professionals such as leading mentors Jacobs Grinwis and Steven Sterns, alongside Kaitlyn Huso, Erich Schmidt, Daniel Rush (associate professor), and Nicolas Kawaguchi.
Competitors had two weeks to create a solution to a problem faced in the cybersecurity industry. Tatum, Isabel and Mason targeted SMS Phishing or Smishing with the specific target audience of elderly people. The team created a solution they called Smish-It to filter out spam messages to users via text.
After pitching to the judges remotely in the prelims, the team secured a place in the in-person final round, ultimately winning the entire competition.
“I was glad to provide some consultation and aid these students as they prepared to compete in the Idaho Cybersecurity Entrepreneur Challenge,” said faculty advisor, John Wee. “I couldn’t be prouder of what the team has accomplished together this year. This victory is a testament to their exceptional technical knowledge, innovative creativity and their unwavering pursuit of success. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such talented individuals.”
The competition was supported by Idaho Central Credit Union, St. Luke’s and Here Technologies.