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GUCS Newsletter

Monica Davila - Wednesday, February 18
 GUCS Events   GUCS Newsletter 

THE GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CYBERSECURITY SOCIETY (GUCS) NEWSLETTER





FEBRUARY 18, 2026
 

GUCS LOGO

GUCS hopes you are having a blessed and great week so far!


We’d like to take a moment to reflect on how our recent lab went and express our gratitude to all our amazing hosts, members, and board who make these hands-on sessions possible. Your participation and enthusiasm are what bring these events to life. Below are a few highlights and photos from the lab — and yes, joining online was just as great! 

GUCS LAB #3 GUCS LAB #3

We also want you to know that we are actively listening to your feedback. Many of you shared that you’d love more interactivity and practical exercises, and we hear you! Because of this, we’re excited to announce Linux Command Line Essentials: Part 2 (Intermediate). This upcoming session will incorporate your suggestions, including more interactive activities and guided practice such as SSH access into the GUCS server and real-time command line challenges. Please keep early March open as of now. We are finalizing a few additional sessions beforehand (keep reading below), and look forward to sharing the confirmed schedule with you soon.

THIS FRIDAY: 

Launching Your Cybersecurity Career: A Professional Development Session with Peter Mao on Friday, 20 February 2026 At 1:30 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Launching Your Cybersecurity Career
A Professional Development Session with Peter Mao

Clock Friday, February 20
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Location pin Capitol Campus Room LL301

This session includes:
- What to focus on beyond coursework and how to build real-world experiences.

- Practical tips to stand out in a competitive job market.

- Sample interview and security exam-style questions to simulate real-world scenarios and test readiness.

- Open Q&A session to conclude.

Peter will also share what he does on a day-to-day basis as a cybersecurity analyst, providing a realistic look at the role and the skills that matter most.

RSVP below!
RSVP

New Addition to the Newsletter:

Student Spotlight

You may have noticed — GUCS has a new logo!

                                                             GUCS LOGO                                              


All thanks to Joshua Herrera, CYRM ’26. We absolutely love our new look, and we want to recognize Joshua for his creativity, dedication, and continued support of the GUCS community. He has been exceptionally helpful in bringing our ideas to life, supporting event execution, and now serves as an Advisor to the GUCS Board. His contributions continue to shape the growth of both our organization and the broader cybersecurity community.


                                                 Joshua Herrera

About Joshua:
Joshua is currently completing his MPS in Cybersecurity Risk Management at Georgetown and previously earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Arizona State University. Alongside his studies, he serves in Georgetown’s Army ROTC program and will commission as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Army on May 15, 2026, where he will serve for four years. During that time, he plans to pursue a part-time M.S. in Computer Science with a focus in cybersecurity.

Professionally, Joshua works as an IT Assistant at Georgetown and is an AI Developer Fellow with Daemo AI, with prior experience as a Software Engineer at Meta. His blend of technical skill, leadership, and service truly reflects the spirit of GUCS, and we are grateful to have him as both a member and advisor within our community. 

Interested in being featured or want to nominate someone?
Please email cybersecuritysociety@georgetown.edu with a headshot and a short description, and we’d be happy to highlight them in an upcoming newsletter.

GUCS CYBERSECURITY CONFERENCE:
"SECURING OUR DIGITAL FUTURE: Convergence Across Government, Industry, and Academia in 2026"

We Want Your Input!

The Georgetown University Cybersecurity Society is planning a cybersecurity conference in April featuring speakers from government, private sector, and academia. This event is designed to spark interest in different areas of cybersecurity, help students explore potential career paths, and build meaningful professional connections. To make this conference as valuable as possible, we’d love your input. Please provide it here:

 https://forms.gle/JnBwWyQRVvBAjynSA

Here are some upcoming events:
Want to go together? Join us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/15534021/
Instagram: gu_cybersociety
and send us a DM. We can host a meet up prior. 

⭐️ Remember to turn on group notifications

Click/tap pictures for links. 

February 27

Virtual 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST 

Gain practical insights into what’s working across modern security operations, from OSINT and SIEM tuning to automation strategies that help teams move faster and smarter.

February 25

11:00 – 11:45 AM EST
Webinar: Cyber Survivability – The Age of Persistent Threats 

A 45-minute session hosted by DefenseScoop
examining how the DoD is building mission-critical systems resilient to cyber attacks. The webinar covers strategies for proactive cyber resilience, system survivability, and defense innovation in the face of nation-state threats. Free online event.

March 31

In-Person | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Washington, DC

Women Leaders in Homeland Security
Hosted by George Washington University – Homeland Security Program

Distinguished panelists will share unique insights into the vital roles women play in homeland security and highlight the diverse opportunities available within the profession. The discussion will also explore strategies for success, preparation tips, and guidance on excelling in this dynamic and evolving field.

February 20

In-person from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm EST

Considering a PhD After CYRM? Upcoming Open House Opportunity Hosted by The Institute of World Politics

Why Attend?

  • Learn about Ph.D. programs in Statecraft and Strategy

  • Explore careers in national security, intelligence, and international affairs

  • Discuss application processes, scholarships, and fellowships

  • Network with faculty and current students

February 19

3:30pm - 4:30pm EST Healy 105 

The Georgetown International Relations Club will be hosting a coffee chat with SFS Professor Michael Sulmeyer to discuss cybersecurity and foreign policy.

February 19

12pm - 1:30pm
In-person event (McGhee Library) hosted by Georgetown's School of Foreign Service

Join us for an in-person discussion with MAERES alumni Helen Burns whose career journey began without a technical background, but evolved to include researching the dark web and gaining skills that led her to her current role as Cyber Threat Intel - Geopolitical Team Manager at Deloitte.

March 11

In-Person | Washington, D.C.

AI+ Education Summit
Hosted by SCSP

As AI rapidly reshapes knowledge work, the AI+ Education Summit explores how classrooms and learning systems can adapt. This event brings together policymakers, educators, and technology innovators to discuss:

  • System Evolution: How must education change in an AI-first world?

  • Essential Skills: What learners need to thrive alongside intelligent systems
  • National Strategy: Building a globally competitive, AI-ready workforce

March 10

In-Person | 1:30 – 5:30 PM EDT | Washington, DC

Hosted by Center for Security and Emerging Technology, this half-day spring symposium focuses on building the future AI and emerging technology workforce. The event features expert panels on workforce policy, industry needs, and a fireside chat with Lisa Blunt Rochester.

Includes light refreshments and a closing reception.

March 19

In-Person | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST | Reston, VA

Modernizing the Workforce Ecosystem Through Standards Participation
Presented by ASCET Center of Excellence
Part of the ATARC Workforce Modernization Summit

Learn how standards participation can modernize workforce strategies, align skills with emerging technologies (AI, quantum, biotech, semiconductors), and improve interoperability and market access.

Best,
Georgetown University Cybersecurity Society (GUCS)

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GUCS on CampusGroups
cybersecuritysociety@georgetown.edu

February 25

5:00 – 6:00 PM EST | Washington, D.C.

Peace Through Strength: The Path Forward in Russia–Ukraine
Hosted by The Institute of World Politics in partnership with America First Global


Join a high-level panel examining pathways to peace in the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Discussions will cover sanctions, economic reconstruction, deterrence, and realistic enforcement strategies to secure U.S. interests and global stability.

April 9

12:00 – 5:00 PM EDT | Reston, VA

Carahsoft CyberSmart Summit: The Two Edges of AI’s Sword
Explore how AI and cybersecurity intersect in today’s dynamic threat landscape. 

Key Sessions:

  • The Intersection of AI and Cyber Defense – AI as a double-edged sword in cyber operations
  • Zero Trust and Supply Chain Security – Expanding “never trust, always verify” to software supply chains
  • Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure – Securing operations technology at ports and other vital sectors