On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, high school students from across Central Alabama came together at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel for the innovateDAFITC Hackathon 2026, an immersive cybersecurity competition designed to challenge students to think critically, collaborate under pressure, and experience the fast-paced world of cyber and national security.
Hosted by Montgomery TechLab, the University of Alabama Department of Educational Studies, AFCEA, SAF/CIO, and the University of Alabama Crimson Defense, the event welcomed students from Montgomery and Elmore counties for a day of hands-on learning, mentorship, and competition.
The Mission: Capture the Flag
This year’s hackathon centered around a Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition that put students’ problem-solving, technical, and teamwork skills to the test.
Working in teams, students tackled a series of cybersecurity-themed challenges across multiple difficulty levels. From cracking codes and solving logic problems to navigating more technical challenges, participants earned points as they worked their way up the leaderboard.
The experience was designed to meet students where they were—meaning participants didn’t have to arrive as cybersecurity experts. Instead, the competition encouraged them to learn by doing, apply new skills in real time, and rely on the strengths of their teammates to complete their mission.
Celebrating the 2026 Hackathon Winners
After an exciting day of competition, strategy, and problem-solving, three teams rose to the top of the leaderboard:
1st Place – Booker T. Washington (BTW) – Yellow Hack ITs
2nd Place – The Cyber Intelligence Academy (C.I.A.) – Cipherguard
3rd Place – Booker T. Washington (BTW) – Cyber Stingers
Booker T. Washington High School delivered an impressive performance, with two teams earning spots among the top three finishers, including the title of 2026 innovateDAFITC Hackathon Champion.
The Cyber Intelligence Academy also demonstrated strong technical and collaborative skills, securing second place in a competitive field of student teams.
Throughout the competition, students demonstrated critical thinking, teamwork, persistence, and their ability to apply cybersecurity concepts under pressure. Each team brought its own strategy to the Capture the Flag challenges, creating an engaging and competitive experience from start to finish.
Mentorship Meets Mission
Students weren’t navigating the challenges alone. Throughout the competition, they received mentorship and support from professionals representing the military, higher education, technology, and cybersecurity sectors.
These interactions gave students an opportunity to see the people and careers behind the technology while gaining firsthand exposure to the role cybersecurity plays in national security and defense.
Beyond the competition, the hackathon introduced students to high-demand career pathways and demonstrated how skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving translate into real-world opportunities.
Building Alabama’s Future Cyber Workforce
The innovateDAFITC Hackathon is about more than determining who can capture the most flags. It is an investment in developing the next generation of talent.
By connecting high school students with professionals, universities, government leaders, and industry partners, the event helps bridge the gap between education, workforce development, technology, and national security.
Students walked away with new experiences, greater exposure to cybersecurity and defense careers, and an opportunity to see themselves as part of the technology workforce of the future.
The event also demonstrated what is possible when organizations across sectors work together to create meaningful opportunities for young people throughout the River Region and Black Belt.
Continuing the Mission
Montgomery TechLab extends its appreciation to the University of Alabama Department of Educational Studies, AFCEA, SAF/CIO, University of Alabama Crimson Defense, participating schools, mentors, volunteers, partners, and professionals who helped make the 2026 innovateDAFITC Hackathon possible.
Most importantly, congratulations to every student who accepted the challenge, worked alongside their teammates, and put their skills to the test.
The competition may have ended, but for these emerging cyber innovators, the mission is just beginning.
Photo Recap
