The High-Stakes Cyber Competition of the Midwest!

The Midwest Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (MWCCDC) is where the region’s best tech minds go head-to-head. Two- and four-year colleges and universities are assembling elite student teams to build, secure, and defend a mock business network under fire. Their opponents? Professional “hackers” determined to break in, take systems offline, and exploit every weakness.

But the cyber battle doesn’t stop there. While teams scramble to hold their ground, competition judges throw in real-time curveballs—network upgrades, system changes, and critical business tasks that force competitors to adapt on the fly. Every action is scored, every misstep exploited, and only the sharpest, fastest, and most resilient will rise to the top.

The buzz is growing across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsinas applications roll in. For students, it’s more than a competition—it’s a chance to prove their skills under pressure, sharpen their cyber defense tactics, and showcase their talent to future employers. No previous competition experience is required, only the drive to win.

👉 Think your team has what it takes? Head to the Registration Page to secure your spot.

Team Preparation Guidelines

CCDC teams should possess key skills and knowledge to succeed in the competition. The events are designed to evaluate these specific competencies and general abilities. While not exhaustive, the list below highlights the core areas essential for success.

View the full Team Preparation Document.

To learn more about the Midwest CCDC, contact Dr. David Durkee, Director of Competition Operations at ddurkee14@att.net or (440) 488-0331.

Midwest CCDC Schedule

10/18/2025 – Invitational

10/25/2025 – Invitational

11/01/2025 – Invitational


1/31/2026 – IN/MN Qualifier

2/07/2026 – OH/MI/KY/IA/WI Qualifier

2/14/2026 – IL/MO Qualifier 

2/21/2026 – Wildcard Qualifier


3/20-21/2026 – MWCCDC Regional


TBA – National CCDC


All second- and third-place teams from their state qualifying CCDC events will advance to the Wildcard CCDC, where they’ll battle for another chance to move forward. The top teams from each state qualifier, along with the Wildcard champions, will earn their spot at the Erich J. Spengler Midwest Regional CCDC, taking place March 20–21, 2026.