HAYS, Kan. -- Students from Fort Hays State University attended the CANVAS competition on Friday, April 2, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.

CANVAS is the annual Computer and Network Vulnerability Assessment Scenario hosted by the U.S. Air Force Academy. This year, high school, college and graduate students attempted to hack into a fictional social networking site. The goal was to exploit vulnerabilities on the network and simulated Web site, then report their findings in a non-technical format and suggest fixes.

Many of the students who attended are a part of the FHSU Informatics Assurance Student Organization that specializes in ethical hacking and penetration testing. IASO hopes to offer service projects to impact the community, research opportunities and business trips that will allow the members to see how alumni are using their skills in the real world.

Students are listed by hometown and classification.

ASSARIA: Jason Zeller, graduate student.

ELLIS: Logan Stanton, freshman.

GARDEN CITY: Daniel Pearson, senior.

HAYS: Josh Dechant, graduate student.

HUTCHINSON: Josh Jay, senior, and Rick Yust, fall 2009 graduate.

LANSING: Marcus Bean, senior.

ULYSSES: Loy "Tony" Anthony, senior.

WICHITA: Nathan Long, senior.