Sullivan Wright Technologies co-founder and partner Chris Wright joined KATV to discuss the JOLT Cyber Challenge, a signature event blending technical competition with networking and workforce development for students and professionals.

Viktoria Capek, a representative from the Venture Center, described JOLT as "a community builder and a workforce development program disguised as a cybersecurity challenge." Chris, who has been involved with JOLT since its inception, emphasized the event’s focus on connecting participants across experience levels.

The competition intentionally brings together high school and college students, as well as industry professionals, to foster a natural mentorship pipeline. This structure allows younger participants to learn directly from experienced practitioners while gaining insight into academic pathways and career opportunities.

The theme for the challenge centered on a fictional, fast-paced technology startup, with puzzles and scenarios designed to reflect the digital environments of real-world settings. Participants were tasked with solving problems in areas such as ethical hacking, system vulnerabilities, and incident response, thereby encouraging collaboration and critical thinking under time constraints. The immersive storyline helped make complex cybersecurity concepts more accessible and relatable.

Chris also emphasized the broader importance of cybersecurity education beyond the industry itself. Even participants who do not pursue careers in cybersecurity leave the event with a stronger understanding of digital risks and best practices—knowledge that can benefit corporations and organizations across all sectors.

The JOLT Cyber Security Challenge serves as both a learning experience and a community-building event, reinforcing the importance of cybersecurity awareness across industries.