Daniel Mayer, a 2025 graduate of Briar Woods High School, was one of just four students across Virginia recognized at the fourth annual Virginia Cyber Signing Day, held July 24 at Virginia Commonwealth University as part of the Virginia Cybersecurity Education Conference.
Cyber Signing Day is modeled after signing days traditionally held for high school athletes committing to college sports. It shines a spotlight on graduating seniors who are pursuing careers or postsecondary education in the cybersecurity field. Students whose hard work, passion and future potential deserve the same kind of celebration and recognition.
The Virginia Cyber Signing Day, sponsored by the Virginia Cyber Range, honors students committed to furthering their education or careers in cybersecurity. The event was inspired by the National Cyber Signing Day (NCSD), an annual recognition held during the NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference hosted by iKeepSafe.
Mayer’s time in LCPS helped prepare him for this distinction. He earned an Advanced Studies Diploma while attending both Briar Woods and the Academies of Loudoun. At Briar Woods, he completed Introduction to Cybersecurity and Cybersecurity Operations courses and earned the CompTIA IT Fundamentals certification. As a senior, he participated in the MATA Cybersecurity program at the Academies of Loudoun, earning 15 college credits along with CompTIA A+ and Security+ certifications.
Mayer also served as president of the Briar Woods Cyber Club, leading more than 50 students in competitions such as CyberPatriot and the Commonwealth Cyber Cup. He was one of only six LCPS students, and 30 students nationwide, invited to the White House for the Quad Cyber Challenge.
He will begin studying cybersecurity at Christopher Newport University in the fall.
This marks the second consecutive year a Briar Woods student has been honored at Virginia Cyber Signing Day.