ABOUT US

Student-Led.Faculty-Empowered.Mission-Driven.

At the Texas Cyber Range, students
don't just learn cybersecurity, they
build it.

Our infrastructure, systems, and
simulations are designed, operated,
and continuously evolved by student
engineers under the mentorship of
Texas A&M faculty and the
Cybersecurity Center.

CORE COMMITMENTS

Our Story

Building the future of cybersecurity through student innovation and real-world engineering. Founded in 2017 by the Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center, the Texas Cyber Range (TxCR) began as a student-driven initiative to create a secure, scalable environment for hands-on learning. Today, it stands as a cornerstone of experiential education, research, and infrastructure at Texas A&M University. Through continuous collaboration between students, faculty, and industry partners, TxCR continues to advance the mission of preparing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders through innovation that lasts.

Our Mission

Our Mission

The mission of the Texas Cyber Range is to empower Texas A&M students and faculty through a secure, enterprise-grade virtualization platform that transforms learning into experience. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, TxCR provides the environment, tools, and support needed to develop practical cybersecurity expertise. Our goal is to cultivate future professionals capable of defending digital infrastructure and strengthening the resilience of our state and nation against evolving cyber threats.

Our History

The Texas Cyber Range was established through the Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center to create a hands-on environment where cybersecurity could be taught through real systems, not simulations. Over the years, TxCR has evolved from a small student-led lab into a comprehensive platform supporting education, research, and infrastructure across the university.

Our History
DEMO DAY

Where Ideas Take Center Stage

Twice a year, TxCR students showcase
the projects they've built, the systems
they've deployed, and the problems
they've solved. Demo Day is where
innovation meets execution, live
demonstrations meet real-world impact,
and the next generation of cybersecurity
professionals proves what they can do.

LOOPER Group Background
POWERED BY

Texas Cybersecurity Center

Empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals by providing the infrastructure, expertise, and opportunities that drive their success.

Texas Cybersecurity Center

TxCR operates as a facility under the Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center, which provides essential funding, research leadership, and institutional backing that make our work possible. As a core hub for cybersecurity education, research, and outreach at Texas A&M University, the Center connects students and faculty with industry and governmental collaborators, expands access to advanced training, and ensures our platform remains at the engineering and educational frontier.

Financial & Infrastructure Support

The Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center provides critical funding, grants, and resource allocation to cover infrastructure, hardware, and operational costs that power TxCR. Without that backing, the scale and stability we achieve would be far harder to sustain.

Faculty & Program Integration

Faculty mentors, research collaboration, and integration into TAMU's academic and workforce programs strengthen our work with deep institutional knowledge and educational rigor. The Center helps bridge TxCR with broader university and cybersecurity ecosystems to ensure alignment with curriculum, research, and mission.

Shared Programs & Certifications

Through the Center's leadership in initiatives like CLDP, Pathways, and VICEROY, TxCR gains access to certificate programs, funding, scholarship pipelines, and certifications that elevate our training offerings. These shared programs build a bridge between academic learning, student development, and professional opportunities.

OUR TEAM

Meet the people that make this possible.

Led by expert students and guided by dedicated faculty and industry professionals, our team is relentless. From systems, software, to support, we don't just push boundaries, we redefine them. Every member you see here contributes to the backbone that makes TxCR run at scale, building a cybersecurity force for tomorrow.

Leadership

Drew Hamilton

Drew Hamilton

Director, Cybersecurity Center

Michelle Baade

Michelle Baade

Assistant Director, Cybersecurity Center

John M. Romero

John M. Romero

Program Director, Outreach & Continuing Education

Khoi Tran

Khoi Tran

Senior Manager

Team Leads

Alexander Eade

Alexander Eade

Systems Team Lead

Michael Bengil

Michael Bengil

Software Team Lead

Arianna Guzman

Arianna Guzman

Support Team Lead

Team Members

Alexander Bui

Alexander Bui

AI/ML Software Engineer

Lucas Vadlamudi

Lucas Vadlamudi

Web Software Engineer

Vincent Dang

Vincent Dang

CTF Software Engineer

Contributors

Ali Farook
Hayden Tallant

Alumni

Adriana Guerrero
Connor Harlow
Jon Sullivan
Jesse Lightsey
Colby Coppinger
Emery Johnson
James Pate
Will Tatum
Michael Silva
Noam Gariani
Dakota Linnabery
Patrick Close
Svettlira Van Jakovich
Vivian Parra Sabogal
Ria Patel
GET STARTED

Spin up in
three simple steps.

TxCR makes getting started simple and secure. With just a few quick steps, you'll have your virtual machine deployed and ready to use through the Xen Orchestra dashboard, configured
exactly how you need it.

Request a VM
1

Request a VM

Request a VM

Submit a VM request through our online form, choosing the configuration that best fits your project or course needs. Whether you're running a class lab or testing a new system, we'll handle the setup for you.

Set Up Your Credentials
2

Set Up Your Credentials

Set Up Your Credentials

Once approved, activate your account by setting your password and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). This ensures your access remains secure at all times.

Log In & Launch
3

Log In & Launch

Log In & Launch

Sign in to Xen Orchestra (XO) to view, manage, and connect to your VM. Launch your environment and start building, testing, or exploring, all from one dashboard.

SPONSORS

Our Partners
in Excellence

Supporting cybersecurity education
and innovation through strategic
partnerships.

Premier Sponsor
Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks is a global leader in cybersecurity, providing advanced solutions that protect organizations from cyber threats. Their support enables TxCR to deliver world-class training infrastructure and cutting-edge security education.

Partner with TxCR

Across our research, education, and training initiatives. Whether it's funding specialized infrastructure, sponsoring student-led projects, or co-hosting workshops and competitions, your support helps us close the gap between classroom learning and real-world impact. Together, we can strengthen the cybersecurity ecosystem and inspire the next generation of defenders.

Sponsorship Benefits

Talent Pipeline Access

Connect directly with skilled, job-ready students trained on enterprise-grade systems.

Brand Visibility

Gain recognition across TxCR's website, events, and publications, including The Ranger Post and social media platforms.

Research & Collaboration Opportunities

Engage with faculty and student teams on cutting-edge cybersecurity research and applied projects.

Community Impact

Support diversity, outreach, and education initiatives that expand access to cybersecurity learning statewide.

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IMPACT

Ready to Share

We're always looking for collaborators, partners, and sponsors who want to make an impact. Whether you're exploring partnership opportunities, looking to support the Range through sponsorship, or interested in utilizing our infrastructure for research and education, there's a place for you here.

From academic partnerships to industry collaboration, TxCR offers the platform, resources, and expertise to help you achieve your cybersecurity goals while advancing education and research.