Hands-on labs
Practice environments covering OS hardening, networking, Linux and Windows, logs, patching, and incident response.
Now welcoming new members
South OC's student
South OC's student
cybersecurity club
We're middle and high schoolers who meet every other Sunday in Rancho Santa Margarita to learn Linux, networking, lockpicking, and more. No experience needed, and it's free.
- Founded
- 2024
- Grades
- 6–12
- Every other Sunday
- 2–4 pm
- To join
- Free
What we do
Hands-on labs and projects, every other Sunday
Members learn how systems work, how to protect them, and how to share that with the community.
Networking
How the internet actually works: build and map networks, configure routers and firewalls, and read the traffic.
Lockpicking & physical security
Security isn't only digital. Members learn how locks work, why some are weak, and how physical and digital security fit together.
Community & events
Students teach cyber-safety sessions to parents and seniors, hear from guest speakers, and go to events like DEF CON.
Out and about
Recent highlights
Labs happen on Sundays. Some of the best learning happens on trips.
August 2026
A night at BattleBots
Club members watched BattleBots live from the stands: robot combat, and a fun look at the engineering side of tech.
August 2026
Back from DEF CON 2026
Members spent time at DEF CON in Las Vegas, one of the world's largest security conferences.
August 2026
Picking a lock through a fence
At DEF CON, one of our members took on a lockpicking challenge, working the lock by hand through a chain-link fence.
Who it's for
For students and parents
For students
No experience needed. If you like figuring out how things work, you'll fit right in.
- Learn real skills: Linux, networking, hardening, incident response
- Make friends who share your interests
- Explore networking, lockpicking, and more
- Teach, lead, and go to events like DEF CON
For parents
A well-run place for your student to learn a valuable skill.
- Adult coaches lead every meeting
- Ethical, legal, defensive skills only
- Good preparation for college and future careers
- Parents kept in the loop
How joining works
Three steps to get started
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Apply
Fill out a short application with your basic info and interests. Students from any school are welcome.
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Parent sign-off
A parent or guardian fills out a quick consent form, and you both review our acceptable-use guidelines.
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Come on Sunday
Join your first meeting. We'll get you set up, introduce you around, and start you on your first lab.