Andy Gu Explores Cybersecurity in Healthcare at Secure the Future Competition
The Palo Alto Networks Secure the Future competition challenges college students to solve real-world cybersecurity threats across industries such as finance, healthcare and education.

Technology powers nearly every aspect of healthcare, from storing electronic health records to sending e-prescriptions to pharmacies. To better secure medical systems that patients rely on every day, computer science freshman Andy Gu researched solutions to address cybersecurity threats in healthcare at Palo Alto Networks’ 2024-2025 Secure the Future competition.
Palo Alto Networks, a multinational cybersecurity company based in Santa Clara, hosts Secure the Future annually, challenging college students across the United States to solve real-world cybersecurity threats across industries such as finance, healthcare and education. The 2024-2025 competition ran from October 2024 to January 2025.
“I was motivated to focus on healthcare because it’s an industry that impacts all of us. Almost everyone has had to rely on urgent care or the emergency room at some point and if this sector isn’t secure, it can put millions of lives at risk,” says Gu. “Ensuring cybersecurity in healthcare is about protecting not just data, but people.”
Over three months, Gu developed his research paper “A Safer Tomorrow: Cybersecurity in the Healthcare Industry,” which explores how technologies and frameworks such as artificial intelligence and adversary playbooks can strengthen the security of medical systems. He presented his research at Palo Alto Networks’ headquarters in Santa Clara.
“The most valuable part of participating in Secure the Future was the knowledge I gained through research and the connections I built with peers and industry professionals,” says Gu, who won a $10,000 first-place award. “My research broadened my perspective on how healthcare organizations can secure their networks while still meeting compliance, whether through enterprise solutions or open-source alternatives.”
Gu encourages students who are interested in cybersecurity to join Cyber@UCI, an ICS-affiliated club that fosters students’ interests in cybersecurity. He also recommends exploring online cybersecurity learning resources and participating in cybersecurity competitions such as Secure the Future and Capture the Flag.
“My advice to students interested in cybersecurity is to dive in no matter what level you are currently at… Don’t be afraid to reach out to mentors or professionals for guidance; everybody I have reached out to was amazingly kind and helpful, so go for it,” he says. “Always remember to have fun, as you learn best when you enjoy what you do!”
— Karen Phan