Champions Crowned at the 2026 Minnesota State CCDC

Written By Kristi Zakariasen

2026 Minnesota State CCDC Participants

The digital landscape is more complex than ever, but Minnesota’s next generation of cybersecurity experts is ready for the challenge. On January 31, 2026, the Minnesota State IT Center of Excellence (MN STATE IT COE) hosted the annual Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC), bringing together the sharpest minds from across the state for a grueling 8-hour test of technical skill and resilience.

The Competition: A Real-World Pressure Cooker

Hosted by Alexandria Technical and Community College, this year’s event saw students from 10 higher education institutions step into the roles of IT administrators for a simulated small business. The stakes were high: teams had to maintain 24/7 services like email and e-commerce for a network of 50+ users while fending off relentless attacks from a "Red Team" of professional ethical hackers.

Winning isn't just about stopping hackers; it's about business continuity. Teams were scored on their ability to:

  • Maintain the availability of critical servers and services.

  • Complete 30 strictly timed business tasks from "management."

  • Effectively detect and respond to live security threats.

2026 Results & Road to Nationals

For the second consecutive year, St. Cloud State University secured the 1st Place title. They will now represent Minnesota at the Regional CCDC at Purdue University Northwest, with a chance to advance to the National Championship in San Antonio, Texas, this April.

Congratulations to our top finishers:

  • 1st Place: St. Cloud State University

  • 2nd Place: Dunwoody College of Technology

  • 3rd Place: Metro State University

  • 4th Place: Century College

St Cloud State 1st Place Team

A Collaborative Success

This event is a cornerstone of the MN STATE IT COE's mission to increase the quality and quantity of IT talent in Minnesota. With an estimated 95% job placement rate for participants, these students are proving they are workforce-ready.

Special thanks to our key leaders and sponsors:

  • Host: Alexandria Technical and Community College (Led by Steve Richards, Co-Director)

  • Event Sponsor: Abbott

  • Secure 360 Student Sponsor: CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)

  • Additional Support: WiSP Services, LLC, and Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Associates

  • Lead Officials: Brian Potter (Chief Judge), Shad Brown (Red Team Lead), and Dr. Janice Aanenson (State CCDC Director)

CCDC 2026

Kristi Zakariasen
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