By age 10, Ozzy Simpson, B.S. ‘25, was a self-taught web developer. This foundation positioned him for success in his undergraduate studies, but it was through the CS Department’s robust curriculum and faculty mentors that he discovered his passion for cybersecurity. Now on track to earn his master’s in Spring 2026, he prepares for a career protecting national security.
A high-scoring exam in his first semester led Simpson to a teaching assistant (TA) role that shaped his academic journey. He shares that being a TA offers valuable practice explaining technical concepts, preparing him for the technical interviews he’ll face in his career.
In his junior year, Simpson’s interest in cybersecurity was sparked by taking Computer Security. Covering topics from password cracking to authentication systems, Professor Joe Goldfrank designed the course to culminate in a final hacking exercise challenging students to gain root access to a virtual machine. This experience highlighted how a system’s security ultimately stems from its creator, as Simpson discovered he was able to use one of the passwords included in the class’s first assignment to gain initial access. To achieve full access, he then exploited the fictional website’s comment form to run malicious code.
From network security to cryptography, Simpson explored his cybersecurity interest further by taking classes related to computer security.
“Once you take one of those classes, none of the others feel foreign because you’ve at least seen some of that information in another class,” he said.
Goldfrank’s class also spurred Simpson to apply for the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program, which funds his education and supports job placement by facilitating networking opportunities. This support made pursuing his master’s through the department’s 4+1 program a no-brainer, where he will continue TAing, collaborating with Goldfrank on machine learning and network research, and expanding his expertise through electives like Software Security.
Simpson’s story not only demonstrates his personal dedication but also exemplifies the department’s collaborative academic environment and ethos of student-led learning.
“In the department, there are lots of opportunities to chart your own path to supplement your cybersecurity education,” said Simpson.