Weekly ACE lectures prepare interns for the capstone exercise and develop them into the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. The lectures begin with the basics of the cyber domain before expanding into more technically challenging computer security concepts. Topics include networking, cryptography, stealth and evasion techniques, red team operations, reverse engineering malware, buffer overflow attacks, covert communications, and hardware security.

In addition to attending lectures, interns are also responsible for writing comprehensive technical solutions to open-ended problems related to the week's lecture topic. Interns work on these solutions in groups of three and then each write up an individual report. Groups also explain these technical concepts in time-constrained oral presentations. This dynamic skill set is instrumental to the final capstone operations, as well as the interns’ future endeavors and careers.

Interns spend the summer working on intensive, in-depth research and development projects in small groups. These projects encourage interns to experiment with new concepts and techniques to advance and execute a research plan. Projects often involve developing red-team offense and infrastructure tools.

Interns attempt to solve research problems they encounter with the aid of research mentors, which consist of academic professionals and technical leaders. Each mentor provides a unique set of skills to assist the ACE interns through the course of their project.

At the beginning of the summer, ACE interns are each assigned to a simulated nation-state in which they conduct weekly mission operations to advance their nation's objectives. Interns learn how to develop exploits and tools to gain access, escalate privileges, and communicate covertly in a contested cyber battlespace. This battlespace includes simulated kinetic infrastructure, where interns program and fly drones to complete reconnaissance missions and protect their territory.

These weekly operations culminate in the final capstone event, where interns apply their knowledge to achieve mission objectives in a simulated cyber-warfare scenario. This is a multi-day, continuous event where interns must work in shifts within their team to advance their nation's goals and win the scenario.

The ACE leadership seminars demonstrate the value of cyber leaders through exploration and analysis of real-world case studies with experienced Air Force officers. Topics include Apollo 13, the space shuttle disasters, and the Cuban missile crisis, among others. Additionally, every Friday a leader in military, research, or industry gives a talk on their perspective on leadership.

Interns also travel to Gettysburg, PA to study leadership links between the historic conflict in Gettysburg and today. By the end of the 10 weeks, interns exemplify the principles of leading upward.

Because physical fitness is an integral part of the ACE program, interns participate in a weekly 8-mile run through the Griffiss Air Force Base. Though running is a highly individual sport, interns motivate themselves and their peers through high fives and encouraging words. The weekly ACE run promotes not only physical fitness but team building through shared adversity.

"Running, like ACE, is an intrinsically individual activity, but along the way, our peers give a shout of encouragement, a high five, or simply presence when we have difficulty, so that we can achieve things we thought impossible." - Dr. Erich Devendorf, Advisor, Advanced Course in Engineering