SHSU Cybersecurity Student Recognized by U.S. House for Cyber Defense Work

SHSU Cybersecurity Student Recognized by U.S. House for Cyber Defense Work

Not all heroes wear capes. Some defend cyberspace with a keyboard and a mouse. For one Sam Houston State University student, that work just earned her recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives.

Kenna Ruckey, a graduate student specializing in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity at Sam Houston State University, was awarded a U.S. House of Representatives Commendation by Congressman Morgan Luttrell for her “Extraordinary Service – Cyber Security,” and a challenge coin from Major General (ret.) David Glaser, SHSU’s chief strategy officer. Both honors recognized her professional contributions after she identified cyberattacks while working at the SHSU Security Operations Center (SOC).

Ruckey’s story begins with her attention to detail as she monitored security alerts in the SOC. There, she detected unusual activity, investigated further and escalated her findings. Her diligence led to the discovery of two separate incidents, each involving different foreign entities.

“The whole experience reminded me that even the smallest actions can have a significant impact,” Ruckey said. “Every alert and every detail matter, and what may seem insignificant at the time could ultimately contribute to something much bigger.”

For Ruckey, receiving recognition was both encouraging and a reminder of the responsibility that comes with her cybersecurity work.

“I’m grateful for the recognition, but even more so for the perspective it gave me and the confidence it inspired to continue making a difference,” she said.

She credits her preparation for the attack as a blend of classroom learning, mentorship and hands-on experience gained at SHSU. Robert Greenberg, director of the Cyber Forensics Intelligence Center, and George Hendrickson, her manager, helped train her when she began working in the SOC last spring. Her mentor, Erica Connor, also encouraged her to pursue a certification in cybersecurity from the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), which she earned over the summer.

“When I see something I’m not sure about, I research it and if it still looks suspicious, I escalate it and learn from the next level of analysts who investigate it further,” she said. “Their findings help me better distinguish between malicious and benign activity the next time I see something similar.”

Currently, Ruckey is working toward a master’s degree in information assurance and cybersecurity with a focus on artificial intelligence at SHSU. She is preparing for the CompTIA Security+ certification and is actively seeking opportunities to further her professional experience, including internships, employment and scholarships. She also plans to attend Cybr.Sec.Con and has become more involved with organizations such as Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS).

As Ruckey continues her studies, she aims to deepen her expertise in security monitoring, incident response and artificial intelligence. Her long-term goal is to become a chief information security officer (CISO).

“I’m still early in my career, and there’s a lot I want to learn, especially in areas like security monitoring, incident response and AI,” she said. “I’m excited to see where cybersecurity takes me.”

While the commendations represent important milestones for Ruckey, the experience has also highlighted the importance of cybersecurity awareness beyond the SOC. She encourages fellow students to pay attention to email sources, think carefully before opening attachments or clicking links and avoid assuming something is safe simply because it appears familiar.

“You don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself,” Ruckey said. “A little extra caution can go a long way.”