SLU Students Compete, Excel at Hacker Summer Camp
The Saint Louis University Cybersecurity Team earned high marks after facing off with some of the top competitors in three of the world's most respected cybersecurity competitions.
This summer, the team traveled to Las Vegas for a trio of major cybersecurity events, DEF CON 33, Black Hat, and BSides Las Vegas, collectively known as Hacker Summer Camp 2025. These events drew thousands of the brightest minds in the field and provided SLU students with hands-on learning, exposure to advanced security research, and opportunities to network with cybersecurity professionals from around the globe.
“SLU’s strong showing at these globally renowned conferences is more than a point of pride; it is a testament to the university’s commitment to preparing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders,” said Maria Weber, SLU’s cybersecurity program director. “By competing, volunteering, networking, and excelling on the international stage, SLU students are well-prepared to meet the challenges of an increasingly digital and interconnected world.”
At DEF CON 33, graduate student Madhan Mohan Reddy Borra earned a 19th-place finish in the DEF CON Bug Bounty Challenge. He competed against some of the most elite cybersecurity professionals and experts worldwide.
"Madhan's outstanding performance demonstrates that he is among the top emerging talents in cybersecurity," Weber said.
The Bug Bounty Village at DEF CON attracted more than 3,600 attendees with 24-hour talks, challenges, and its inaugural Bug Bounty Capture the Flag (CTF), a high-tech treasure hunt where participants search for hidden "flags" to score points.
In this cyber treasure hunt, participants solve tricky puzzles, crack codes, and find vulnerabilities in test websites. It's a way to test and showcase skills in computer security while having fun with challenging problems. Borra’s achievement earned him special recognition and invaluable real-world experience in ethical hacking and bug bounty challenges, reinforcing his growing expertise in cybersecurity.
Borra was one of 11 SLU students who represented the University at the camp. Weber said all the students made an impact at these events and earned recognition for their expertise, teamwork, and leadership in the rapidly evolving field of digital defense.
“The performance of the entire team speaks to SLU’s growing presence in the field of cybersecurity, showcasing our students’ exceptional skill and talent,” Weber said.
The full delegation included Syam Sai Siddabhattula (Captain), Madhan Mohan Reddy Borra, Ragan Murali Pasupuleti (Co-Captain), Abishek Narayanamoorthi, Karnika Kuruba, Leena Sai Sree Maridi, Saikumar Anamaneni Sayeeswaran, Sai Deshik Sandakacharla, Saheed Abiodun Adebayo, Gayathri Penumur, and Noel Jayakumar, members of the SLU Cybersecurity Team from the School for Professional Studies.
A major part of SLU’s success came under the leadership of Siddabhattula, who served as Captain of the Cybersecurity Capture-the-Flag (CTF) team, Weber said. He played a pivotal role in training and preparing his peers for DEF CON and other national competitions, emphasizing both offensive and defensive cyber strategies.
While at DEF CON, Siddabhattula also volunteered in the Physical Security Village, supporting hands-on sessions in lockpicking, hardware hacking, and physical security awareness, embodying the collaborative and curious spirit that defines the hacker community. His dedication and technical expertise were further recognized when he was named a Giveaway Winner by Vulnerability Vibes! DesiredEffect, a respected bug bounty organization.
At BSides Las Vegas, SLU students volunteered and gained valuable behind-the-scenes insight into how large-scale cybersecurity conferences are organized, while actively contributing to the broader cyber community.
During the event, Syam Sai Siddabhattula and Ragan Murali Pasupuleti competed in the “Pros vs. Joes” Capture-the-Flag (CTF), a live, team-based competition that simulates real-world cyberattacks between red (offensive) and blue (defensive) teams.
“SLU has strong emphasis on hands-on learning, teamwork, and critical problem-solving in high-pressure, real-world cybersecurity environments,” Weber said. “At this event, the students really pushed their limits in immersive workshops and hands-on competitions, applying offensive and defensive strategies in Capture the Flag events that simulated real-world cyberattacks.”
At Black Hat USA, students explored cutting-edge technologies and engaged with industry leaders to discuss the future of digital defense.