Cyber
corns
Join the
Cyber
corns
NCSSM Durham's official cybersecurity club for students who want to learn cyber and actually use it.
Weekly optional meetings, hands-on projects, industry connections, and training for competitions like picoCTF.
Details for the first meeting and interest session will be posted on the website.
What We Do
Hi @everyone! want to learn cybersecurity AND actually use it?
CyberUnicorns is NCSSM Durham's official cybersecurity club, and we're recruiting members for this year.
What we do
- weekly optional meetings
- learn cyber with hands-on projects
- build connections in industry
- train for and compete in CTFs like picoCTF (and win)
Looking for leadership!
If you show initiative, you're welcome even if you're new to cybersecurity.
Big Opportunity
We have a direct opportunity to work with the National Coast Guard and other organizations and companies, so members can do more than just study challenge writeups.
Competition focus
- picoCTF categories like web, crypto, reversing, forensics, binary exploitation, and general skills
- Other team competitions and open events as members level up
- Real tooling with Linux, Python, Wireshark, netcat, and challenge workflows
Join pathway
Join the Discord, check the interest form, and come to the first meeting or interest session once details are posted.
Club Pathways
Nonprofit
Community cyber education, secure web help for mission-driven groups, and outreach projects that do real public good.
Public Sector
A direct opportunity to work with the National Coast Guard and other partner organizations that want student initiative.
Industry
Connections with security professionals, companies, and practical team experience that helps members build real momentum.
Competition Layout
picoCTF
Developed by Carnegie Mellon, picoCTF is the main competition we use to train new members across web, crypto, reversing, forensics, binary exploitation, and general skills.
What members build toward
- Hands-on solves, writeups, and challenge workflows
- Team practice for broader competitions after picoCTF
- Technical confidence with modern cyber tools and concepts
- More club material on the CyberUnicorns curriculum
How to Join
All experience levels welcome
Weekly optional meetings and hands-on projects
Build connections in industry
Leadership opportunities for members who show initiative
Train for and compete in CTFs like picoCTF
1
Join the Discord
2
Fill out the interest form and follow the Instagram
3
Come to the first meeting or interest session
Details will be posted on the website
Discord will have updates too
If you want leadership, say so in the form or introduce yourself in Discord.
Topics We Cover
Web
hidden routes, auth bypass, and session flaws
cookies, local storage, JWTs, and OAuth basics
cross-site scripting, sql injection, command injection, and SSRF
api testing with javascript, php, and python tooling
Cryptography
encoding vs encryption and when each matters
classical ciphers like caesar, rot, atbash, and substitution
hashes, signatures, key exchange, and common crypto mistakes
ascii, hex, base64, utf-8, qr codes, and steganography workflows
Reverse Engineering
strings, symbols, and reading decompiled output
ghidra basics and reverse engineering challenge habits
python, android, and binary reversing patterns
Forensics
pcaps, disk artifacts, and memory snapshots
metadata, logs, timelines, and traceable breadcrumbs
osint pivots and fast evidence triage
Binary Exploitation
stack and heap basics, calling conventions, and memory layout
buffer overflows, format strings, and unsafe input handling
pwntools, gdb, and mitigation-aware challenge solving
General Skills
linux commands, ssh, netcat, bash scripting, and vim survival
tcp, udp, sockets, ports, and packet flow intuition
virtual machines, containers, and repeatable lab setup
Cloud & Identity
iam basics, role assumptions, and secret handling
storage exposure, token leaks, and identity mistakes
how cloud thinking shows up in modern web and infra challenges
Tools
python
wireshark
netcat
ghidra