Ethics in Cyber

Training the Future of Cyber Workforce: Ethics in Cyber Session Blog

Jan 22, 2026

Training the Future of Cyber Workforce: Ethics in Cyber Session
[SV, US Cyber Games Pipeline]

The Season V US Cyber Games program recently conducted an essential "Ethics in Cyber” session for its athletes and team members. This workshop emphasized a vital message: while technical skills can open doors, a robust ethical compass and strong, long-term reputation are crucial for a career in cybersecurity.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our remarkable guests and moderator for sharing their invaluable insights and expertise:

• Dr. Yvette Burton (Georgetown)
• Lance Spitzner (SANS Institute)
• Nathan Ord (Former pipeline member and Red Team engagement professional, who moderated the fireside chat)

The session proved to be a tremendous success, creating a “no judgment zone” where athletes felt safe to discuss and practice navigating complex ethical dilemmas. Key insights included:

• Ethics as the Essential Element: US Cyber Games Commissioner, Jessica Gulick, highlighted that ethical training is the cornerstone of the Pipeline Program. She stressed that cybersecurity professionals must establish a solid moral foundation to complement their technical skills, as their ethical decisions significantly impact their reputation and trustworthiness, which are paramount for long-term career success.
• The Connection Between Ethics, Trust, and Career: Our expert guests reinforced that ethical choices form the basis of one’s personal and professional reputation. Lance Spitzner, SANS Institute, pointed out that while skills are quantifiable, trust is what genuinely correlates with ethics to build future success. Dr. Yvette Burton from Georgetown outlined four key areas of ethical responsibility: towards people, the organization, one's future self, and the nation.
• Navigating Ethical Dilemmas: Participants engaged in meaningful scenario discussions covering topics such as rules of engagement, unauthorized access, and vulnerability disclosure. A crucial takeaway was the necessity of consistent ethical choices, respecting authorization, and utilizing support networks (teammates, mentors, HR) when faced with challenging situations.

Expert guests reiterated this message, underscoring the clear relationship between integrity, trust, and career longevity.

• Nathan Ord, a former Pipeline Program athlete and Red Team professional who skillfully moderated the fireside chat, imparted practical guidance for building their futures: “Continue engaging in ethical discussions with peers and mentors to set boundaries and become comfortable with these challenging conversations. Nurture a long-term network for future success.”
• Dr. Yvette Burton of Georgetown initiated the discussion by defining, “Morals are what one knows is right, but ethics is what one does, even when it comes at a cost.” She provided a framework for responsibility, detailing four key areas of ethical duty: towards people, the organization, one's reputation, and the country. She also shared a powerful mantra for recovery from mistakes: “Own it. Repair it. And change your patterns.”
• Lance Spitzner of SANS Institute distinguished between measurable skills and invaluable trust: "While skills are easy to quantify, trust is what truly aligns with future success." He highlighted the risks of significant ethical missteps by recounting the Conficker worm scenario, where developers, despite having a solution, chose not to implement it due to the catastrophic risk of a massive outage. Lance advised: “Before taking any questionable action, ask: Consent - Do I have clear permission from the owner? Impact - Could this lead to harm if it goes wrong? Am I prepared to be accountable if my name is attached?”

Cyber Athletes Navigating the "Fuzzy" Ethical Zone

The most engaging aspect of the session involved high-value scenario discussions on topics like rules of engagement, unauthorized access, and vulnerability disclosure. Our athletes were deeply invested in real-world applications, seeking clarity on the boundaries of "authorized" actions and how to report a vulnerability responsibly.

Onward and Upward

This foundational ethics workshop sets a high standard for the Season V athletes as they advance throughout our Program and their career paths. It clearly underlines that the US Cyber Games is dedicated to preparing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders to excel not only in skills but also in integrity. As they progress into technical rotations, training sessions, practices and championship competitions, they will carry the awareness that their moral conduct is as important as their technical expertise.

A huge thank you once again to Dr. Yvette Burton, Lance Spitzner, and Nathan Ord for sharing their wisdom and expertise—you’ve helped us establish a stronger foundation for the future of cyber.

SUPPORT US

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our current sponsors for their commitment to the US Cyber Games mission. Your support is crucial in cultivating this essential pipeline of talent. To continue offering world-class training and mentorship to these future leaders, we have an ongoing need for new sponsors to join us in securing the nation’s cyber future.