Raices Cyber Org

Back-to-school season means more time on learning platforms, shared networks and connected devices. A few consistent security habits can help students protect their accounts, devices and schoolwork throughout the year. 🎒💻

Start with this checklist:

🔐 Use a unique password for every account

✅ Turn on multifactor authentication

🔗 Check links and attachments before opening them

🔄 Keep devices and apps updated

Students, parents and educators can find more free cyber safety resources at https://lnkd.in/e3RARVW4

From Black Hat (Black Hat Events) to US Cyber Games Con (US Cyber Games) and DEF CON 34 (DEF CON), Hacker Summer Camp gave Raíces Cyber the opportunity to connect with the cybersecurity community, celebrate new achievements, and share our mission.

Raíces Cyber was represented throughout the week by Loritza Grillasca (Loritza Ivette Grillasca Velasco), Senior Director of Programs and Communications. If you see Loritza at an upcoming cybersecurity event, come say hello and learn how we are expanding access to cybersecurity education, workforce development, and career opportunities for our communities. 💜

A special congratulations to the University of South Florida team (University of South Florida), which chose to represent Raíces Cyber in the Attack & Defense competition hosted by SkillBit (Skillbit Technologies)at US Cyber Games Con—and won! 🏆

Thank you to Noob Village (Noob Village), The Ginger Hacker Initiative and Kevin Tech (Kevin) for displaying our flyers and helping more people discover Raíces Cyber.

We’re grateful for every conversation, connection, and organization that supported our presence in Las Vegas.

HackerSummerCamp CybersecurityCommunity WorkforceDevelopment CybersecurityEducation

Cybersecurity offers career paths that match different skills and interests. Students can begin exploring these roles while they are still in school:

🛡️ Defensive Security: protect systems and respond to threats

🔍 Ethical Hacking: test systems and uncover weaknesses

⚖️ GRC: connect security, risk and policy

🔐 Identity & Access: help secure who can access information and systems

Clubs, CTFs, home labs, introductory courses and mentorship can help students discover which path interests them and begin developing practical skills.

Explore additional student resources at https://www.getcybersmart.org/

We’re excited to welcome Andrea Portillo to Raíces Cyber! 💜

Andrea is a rising senior at Virginia Tech, studying Cybersecurity Management & Analytics and exploring how cybersecurity and business decisions come together to create safer digital environments.

At Raíces Cyber, Andrea will bring that perspective into course and CTF development, creating hands-on learning experiences for our Raíces Cyber Youth Corps (RCYC) and CyberPros programs. Through practical challenges, learners will have opportunities to apply cybersecurity concepts, strengthen technical skills, and gain experience that reflects the way the field works.

Welcome to the community, Andrea! 🌳💻

🎥 Now available on YouTube!

How do you build a career in ethical hacking?

In CyberTalk Episode 7, we sit down with Betta Lyon Delsordo, Lead Application Pe*******on Tester at OnDefend, to discuss the experiences, skills, and mindset that shaped her journey from teaching herself to code at 13 to leading application security assessments today.

Throughout the conversation, Betta shares practical insights on:

🔹 Breaking into ethical hacking and pe*******on testing
🔹 Application security, cloud security, and AI hacking
🔹 Building experience through self-learning, certifications, and hands-on opportunities
🔹 The value of mentorship and giving back to the cybersecurity community
🔹 Advice for students and professionals exploring offensive security careers

Whether you're curious about ethical hacking or looking for guidance on building your cybersecurity career, this episode offers practical perspectives from someone who has grown through continuous learning, technical curiosity, and community involvement.

▶️ Watch Episode 7 on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/R9AhAThgX0U

What part of Betta's journey resonated with you most?

*******onTesting

Happy Birthday to Miroslava Osorio, Secretary of our Chicago Chapter! 🎉

Miroslava supports the coordination and communication that keep the chapter organized, connected, and engaged with its local cybersecurity community.

Thank you, Miroslava, for the dedication you bring to Raíces Cyber. We hope you have a wonderful birthday! 💙

Belated birthday wishes to Ilse Ramon! 🎉

Through her work in Employee Resource Group Relations, Ilse helps Raíces Cyber connect with and support employee communities, fostering relationships that expand representation and collaboration within cybersecurity.

We hope you had a wonderful birthday, Ilse. Thank you for the dedication and care you bring to our community! 💙

Your skills could help expand access to cybersecurity careers.

On August 6, Attack & Defense teams will compete live at the US CyberCON (US Cyber Games) Battle for Charities, with prize funding supporting the nonprofit represented by the winning team.

Raíces Cyber is looking for experienced cyber athletes ready to defend, attack, adapt under pressure, and compete for a cause. Every round played on our behalf helps bring greater visibility and support to the training, mentorship, and professional networks that prepare underrepresented talent for cybersecurity careers.

⚔️ Live Attack & Defense competition

👥 Teams of 4–8 members

💻 Computers provided

🧠 No AI assistance

⏱️ Four hours of play

📅 August 6, 2026

📍 HyperX Arena Las Vegas

Register your team and choose Raíces Cyber as the organization you’ll represent:

https://www.uscybergames.com/us-cybercon

Cyber athletes: bring your team, defend your network, and compete for Raíces Cyber. ⚔️

On August 6, Raíces Cyber will be one of the nonprofit beneficiaries represented during the US CyberCON Live Attack & Defense Battle for Charities at HyperX Arena Las Vegas (US Cyber Games)

We’re recruiting an experienced Attack/Defense team to compete on our behalf during this four-hour CTF. The winning team will earn prize funding for the organization it represents, helping Raíces Cyber expand access to cybersecurity training, mentorship, professional networks, and career pathways for underrepresented communities.

Competition details:

💻 Computers provided

👥 Teams of 4–8 members

🧠 No AI assistance

⏱️ Four-hour competition

💵 $2,600 team registration

🏆 Prize funding supports the winning team’s selected nonprofit

📍 HyperX Arena Las Vegas

📅 August 6, 2026

Ready to represent Raíces Cyber? Register your team and select Raíces Cyber as your cause:

https://www.uscybergames.com/us-cybercon

🎙️ Missed our live Q&A with Brenda Leyva? The recording is now available on YouTube.

What does Security Program Management actually look like inside a cybersecurity team?

In this CyberTalk Q&A, Brenda Leyva, Program Manager at Microsoft, reflects on her first year working full-time and shares what she has learned about owning security workstreams, collaborating across teams, and measuring impact.

The conversation also goes into the career questions that matter when you're still figuring out where you fit in cybersecurity:

🔹 What Security Program Managers actually do

🔹 Moving from a Microsoft internship into a full-time role

🔹 Building confidence while learning on the job

🔹 The value of mentors and sponsors who advocate for your work

🔹 Networking and building relationships throughout your career

🔹 Where Security Program Management can lead next

🔹 Practical advice for students navigating internships and hiring

Brenda's experience offers a closer look at a cybersecurity career path that students and early-career professionals may encounter less often, while showing how technical understanding, communication, community, and relationship-building come together in practice.

▶️ Watch the full CyberTalk Q&A on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/Gr4M9aIcWQE