U.S. Women's Cyber Team Earns Silver at Global Cybersecurity Championship; United States Selected to Host WICC 2027

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Women's Cyber Team Earns Silver at Global Cybersecurity Championship; United States Selected to Host WICC 2027

Washington, D.C. — July 14, 2026 — The U.S. Women's Cyber Team earned a second-place finish at the 3rd Women's International Cybersecurity Challenge (WICC) in Dublin, Ireland, demonstrating the strength of America's emerging cybersecurity workforce while organizers announced that the United States will host the next edition of the global championship in 2027.

Representing the nation's top female cybersecurity talent ages 18–29, the seven-member U.S. team finished second among eight international teams after more than 16 hours of intense technical competition, earning 12,554 points and finishing just 441 points behind Team Europe, which claimed the championship with 12,995 points.

Final Team Standings

Hosted in Dublin, Ireland, the Women's International Cybersecurity Challenge brings together elite national and regional teams from around the world to compete across advanced cybersecurity disciplines. The event has become one of the premier international showcases for identifying and developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Unlike traditional capture-the-flag competitions, this year's tournament introduced a new game-based competition platform that required athletes to continuously shift between multiple styles of cybersecurity competition, including:

• Jeopardy-style technical challenges testing deep cybersecurity expertise
• 1v1 technical duels requiring rapid problem-solving under pressure
• King of the Hill scenarios focused on securing and defending live infrastructure
• Attack and Defense competitions combining real-time offensive and defensive cyber operations

The U.S. delegation included seven athletes, Head Coach Kristi Rice, and U.S. Cyber Team Commissioner Jessica Gulick, all representing the US Cyber Games Pipeline Program, a national scouting and athlete development initiative operated by Katzcy PlayCyber.

"International cyber competitions are becoming the Olympic stage for cybersecurity talent," said Jessica Gulick, Commissioner of the U.S. Cyber Team and Founder of the US Cyber Games. "Our athletes demonstrated not only exceptional technical ability, but also the adaptability, communication, and teamwork required to defend today's increasingly complex digital world. Finishing just 441 points behind Team Europe is a remarkable accomplishment and reflects years of investment in developing America's next generation of cyber defenders."

"This team proved that success in cybersecurity is built on preparation, resilience, and trust," said Kristi Rice, Head Coach of the U.S. Women's Cyber Team. "Every athlete embraced a brand-new competition format while supporting one another through every challenge. Their silver-medal performance sends a powerful message that the next generation of women in cybersecurity is ready to compete—and lead—on the world stage."

Developing the Next Generation of Cyber Talent

The U.S. Women's Cyber Team is selected through the US Cyber Games Pipeline Program, a national scouting, evaluation, and training initiative designed to identify elite cybersecurity talent and prepare athletes for international competition. Participants advance through open competitions, intensive technical training, and team-based exercises that develop both technical expertise and the cognitive skills required to perform under pressure.

International cyber competitions like WICC serve as a proving ground for future cybersecurity professionals, many of whom go on to careers supporting government agencies, critical infrastructure, national laboratories, defense organizations, and the private sector.

United States to Host WICC 2027

Building on this year's success, Katzcy PlayCyber also announced that the United States has been selected to host the 4th Women's International Cybersecurity Challenge in 2027.

Bringing the championship to the United States represents a significant milestone for the global cybersecurity community and reflects the growing international recognition of the U.S. Cyber Games program and America's commitment to developing world-class cyber talent.

Katzcy PlayCyber is currently seeking strategic corporate sponsors, philanthropic partners, and industry supporters to help deliver a world-class international event that will welcome elite cybersecurity athletes from across the globe.

Organizations interested in supporting WICC 2027 are encouraged to contact the US Cyber Games team.

Supporting the Mission

The participation of the U.S. Women's Cyber Team was made possible through the generous support of Mastercard, Battelle, PlayCyber, eGroup, SkillBit, and DeathCon. Their investment helps develop the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and expands opportunities for women pursuing careers in cybersecurity.

About Katzcy PlayCyber

Katzcy PlayCyber is the home of the US Cyber Games, a national initiative dedicated to discovering, developing, and advancing America's next generation of cybersecurity talent through competitive cyber sports, workforce development, and international competition. Through programs including the US Cyber Games, the U.S. Cyber Team, and the U.S. Women's Cyber Team, Katzcy PlayCyber creates pathways that connect education, competition, and careers while strengthening the nation's cybersecurity workforce.

Media Contact

Katzcy PlayCyber / US Cyber Games

Media Inquiries: press@katzcy.com

Partnership Opportunities: partners@katzcy.com

Website: www.uscybergames.com

Competition Information: www.wicc.ie