FBI Evidence Response Team to Join UA Little Rock’s Operation Cyber Sleuth Summer Cybersecurity Camp – News

Source Domain: ualr.edu

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Samantha Koros
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June 19, 2026

From uncovering digital clues to learning how cyber investigators solve crimes, participants in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Operation Cyber Sleuth camp will get an inside look at digital forensics and cybersecurity from June 22 to 26.

Through hands-on activities and real-world scenarios, participants will learn how to collect and analyze digital evidence, using the same tools and techniques as cybersecurity professionals.

The weeklong camp is open to students in grades 7-12 and is led by the UA Little Rock Cybersecurity Club, directed by Becky Passmore, assistant professor of computer science, and Dr. Sandra Leiterman, director of cybersecurity education and outreach. Club members have dedicated months to planning activities, developing lessons, and designing hands-on challenges to introduce participants to cybersecurity and digital forensics.

Operation Cyber Sleuth is supported in part by the Dr. Charles and Betty K. Hathaway Summer STEM Scholarship Program, which promotes educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Camp sessions will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon each day on the fourth floor of the Engineering and Information Technology Building (EIT).

“For me, cybersecurity camps are essential,” said Leiterman, director of cybersecurity education and outreach. “We’ve hosted a camp every year since 2021, and one of my favorite parts is watching confidence grow in everyone involved.”

Throughout the week, students will collaborate with club members to learn how digital evidence is collected, analyzed, and used to resolve cyber incidents. The camp will conclude with a digital capture-the-flag competition, giving students the opportunity to apply their new skills.

A highlight of the camp will occur on Thursday, June 25, when members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Evidence Response Team (ERT) visit campus to lead activities. Participants will rotate through DNA, fingerprint, and trace evidence stations, gaining practical experience with investigative techniques. This session offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from FBI professionals and understand how forensic science supports investigations.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this camp is watching students realize that they can do this,” Passmore said. “By learning directly from FBI Evidence Response Team members and working through hands-on investigations, they gain confidence, ask bigger questions, and begin to envision themselves as the next generation of cybersecurity and forensic professionals.”

Operation Cyber Sleuth combines hands-on activities from club members, university mentors, and FBI professionals to give participants real-world experience in cybersecurity and digital forensics. Attendees will gain practical investigative skills and a deeper understanding of the vital role cybersecurity professionals play in protecting information and addressing cyber threats.

“One of our club’s core values is giving back to our community,” said Monica Procknaw, president of the UA Little Rock Cybersecurity Club. “We believe in investing our time and resources to help students explore new opportunities and discover what’s possible through education. Through Operation Cyber Sleuth, we hope to inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and show students the many educational and career pathways available to them right here in Arkansas.”

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