They learned to defend networks under pressure 麻豆精品 S� then took that mindset into the real world. UCF alumni Martin 麻豆精品 S�20 麻豆精品 S�22MS and Michael Roberts 麻豆精品 S�19 麻豆精品 S�21MS are two of the university 麻豆精品 S檚 most celebrated cybersecurity competitors. Now, even with their student days behind them, the identical twins remain deeply embedded in , proudly supporting, training and mentoring future cybersecurity talent.
From Cyber Competition to Real-World Defense
Both brothers turned their meaningful time at UCF into high-impact careers protecting critical systems. Martin leads the security engineering program at workforce management company Fountain, while Michael oversees cybersecurity efforts at Abbott Diabetes Care.
麻豆精品 S淚 stayed interested in cybersecurity because it was also about safeguarding people, privacy and trust, 麻豆精品 S� Michael says. 麻豆精品 S淭hat sense of purpose in protecting people is what has kept me motivated. I am now responsible for protecting medical devices, some of the technology people most rely on in their everyday lives. 麻豆精品 S�
Where Purpose Took Shape
That purpose was developed at UCF, where the Roberts brothers solidified their career paths through the renowned Collegiate Cyber Defense Club 麻豆精品 S� better known as Hack@UCF. The student-led organization became a launchpad, sharpening their technical skills through high-stakes competitions and invaluable collaboration. As Hack@UCF stacked up championship after championship, university and industry partners doubled down on their support. In 2019, Lockheed Martin helped establish the Innovation Cyber Lab 麻豆精品 S� a 970-square-foot dedicated practice space located in the Engineering I building 麻豆精品 S� providing the team with a home base.
“These competitions helped me advance my skillset, gain real-world experience and make connections across the industry.”聽 麻豆精品 S� Martin Roberts 麻豆精品 S�20 麻豆精品 S�22MS
麻豆精品 S淯CF gave us the space to experiment, to fail and to grow. The university 麻豆精品 S檚 investment in cybersecurity infrastructure and student-led initiatives made it possible for us to compete 麻豆精品 S� and win 麻豆精品 S� on a national level, 麻豆精品 S� Michael says. 麻豆精品 S淣ot every university is willing to dedicate space and resources for a team to compete, so I am grateful to UCF for doing so. 麻豆精品 S�
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麻豆精品 S淯CF participating in these competitions is only possible because of the dedication from our team 麻豆精品 S檚 faculty advisor, Dr. Nedorost, 麻豆精品 S� Martin says. 麻豆精品 S淭hese competitions helped me advance my skillset, gain real-world experience and make connections across the industry. 麻豆精品 S�
Building Team-Ready Talent
Today, Michael 麻豆精品 S檚 role at Abbott includes recruiting, and he 麻豆精品 S檚 actively bringing fellow Knights with him. He has hired several Hack@UCF alumni and says they possess a rare combination of technical depth and operational maturity, and that they share a strong bond from defending networks together in competitions.
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Giving Back to What Gave Them a Start
Both brothers remain actively involved at UCF and are passionate about giving back as alumni.
麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 important to stay involved in this way, and I recommend this to more alumni, 麻豆精品 S� Martin says. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 only where I 麻豆精品 S檓 at today because of technical mentors who took the time to help train me up at the high school and the collegiate level. 麻豆精品 S�
Martin emphasizes that success in cybersecurity goes far beyond the classroom. Experiences like competing on cybersecurity teams are essential for any student pursuing the field. He encourages students to cultivate interests outside of the classroom and to pursue multiple internships to gain more hands-on experience.
麻豆精品 S淭he students that excel are the ones that dedicate the most time to bettering themselves and the people around them, 麻豆精品 S� Martin says. 麻豆精品 S淭hose are the kinds of students who make it on the C3 team and excel in their careers after they graduate. So if you 麻豆精品 S檙e a student reading this with cybersecurity as an interest, find a niche and become really good at it. 麻豆精品 S�
“I will continue to give back to the program and help it improve, and I hope more alumni do the same.” 麻豆精品 S� Michael Roberts 麻豆精品 S�19 麻豆精品 S�21MS
While Hack@UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 trophy case already tells an impressive story, Michael says the best is yet to come 麻豆精品 S� and he and his brother plan to be there every step of the way.
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