KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 6, 2025

Among the newest student organizations on campus, Kennesaw State University’s Owl Cyber Team recently reached the semifinals in the CyberLLM Challenge. Held during the Silicon Valley Cybersecurity Conference 2025, the event focuses on developing innovative applications to improve areas like threat detection and cybersecurity automation. 

The team, consisting of cybersecurity student Lisa Thiongo, information systems student Christopher Forrester-Jack from the Michael J. Coles College of Business, and software engineering student Cassidie Grogan, developed an original project titled the QR Malware Scanner. The tool uses a large language model (LLM), an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system trained to process and interpret human language and analyze QR codes for malicious links. Competing against students from the Ivy League and leading institutions like San Jose State University, the Owl Cyber Team stood out as the only Georgia-based team to qualify.

“Everywhere we go now, we’re scanning QR codes, but how do we know if they’re safe?” said Manohar Raavi, assistant professor of computer science and the team’s faculty mentor. “Their project directly addresses real-world issues, and to see the students succeed at such a high level on their first attempt is incredible.”

Lecturer of computer science, Maxwell Bradley, co-mentored the team alongside Raavi, supporting their development throughout the competition process.

The journey to the semifinals was anything but easy. The team initially based its concept on an existing GitHub project, but quickly ran into technical obstacles when servers supporting that project were no longer active. Rather than abandon the idea, they decided to build the QR Malware Scanner entirely from scratch. 

“We ran into a lot of roadblocks, but I’m proud of how we worked through every single one,” Thiongo said. “We adapted, learned new skills, and kept going.”

Grogan described the moment they learned they had advanced to the semifinals as “a magical experience.” Forrester-Jack, who was at work when he received the official email, immediately requested time off to participate in the conference. 

“We were just brainstorming ideas in a KSU conference room weeks earlier,” he said. “Suddenly, we were on a plane to California to represent KSU. It was surreal.”

The CyberLLM Challenge required multiple stages of submissions, including a demo paper, source code via GitHub, and a video demonstration. The team tested its scanner against deliberately malicious QR codes they designed to mimic popular websites like YouTube and Instagram. They trained the LLM not only to flag suspicious links, but to explain why the links could be dangerous, a key technical breakthrough.

“We didn’t just want it to say something might be malicious,” Forrester-Jack said. “We wanted it to tell the user exactly why.”

Raavi, who also presented research and participated in a panel at SVCC, said mentoring the students was one of the highlights of his experience. 

“They approached the challenge with different strengths. Lisa brought leadership, Chris handled QR code testing, and Cassidie managed the coding. That mix of skills made them a great team,” he said. “They proved that KSU students can compete with the best.”

Looking ahead, the team is eager to build on its momentum. Plans include refining the QR Malware Scanner, participating in more national and international competitions, and hosting a campus wide Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity challenge. 

“This experience gave us technical skills, connections, and confidence,” Forrester-Jack said. “We don’t want to leave this project in the dust.” 

– Story by Raynard Churchwell

– Photo submitted

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.