LTU students take third place at cybersecurity competition – The Oakland Press

https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2026/05/07/ltu-students-take-third-place-at-cybersecurity-competition/

Publish Date: 2026-05-07 11:51:00

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Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points. Two Lawrence Tech information technology students tied for third place in a cybersecurity contest in Detroit.
In just two days, working alone and individually against 35 teams and 45 other students from five other Michigan universities, master’s degree candidates Uzma Sayyad and Nicholas Okoro had 48 hours to solve a problem and prepare presentations on their solutions.
The cybersecurity problem was in a case study right out of today’s headlines: a data breach which occurred on a CEO website, including a photo with metadata embedded in it.
Sayyad and Okoro had to systematically untangle the issue through a series of steps including reconnaissance, analysis, correlation, and validation. They also had to offer strategies for repairing and preventing future breaches. Each earned $1,500 and a certificate during the 12th Annual Scholarship Competition and presented at the Mike Illitch School of Business at Wayne State University.

“The experience was intense but very rewarding. It pushed me to think critically, manage time effectively, and stay focused under pressure, which made the achievement even more meaningful,” said Sayyad, of Waterford Township.
“I felt a strong sense of validation that my approach and way of thinking were effective, even in a highly competitive environment,” said Okoro, of Royal Oak. “It reinforced my confidence in my ability to work through complex problems and communicate solutions effectively. It also strengthened my interest in continuing to build in the cybersecurity and technology space.”