Although cybersecurity is not often associated with fun and games, learning about it can be! Check out these eight options for putting your cyber defense knowledge to the test during simulated security breaches and attacks. These selections include both free online cybersecurity games and corporate training-style simulations to round out your experience.
Need a refresher on cybersecurity basics before diving into games? Read What is Cyber Security: Definition, Best Practices & Examples or check out our educational hub of cybersecurity topics.
1. Targeted Attack: The Game
Become the CIO of Fugle Inc. to determine what to do to protect sensitive company information in light of potential security issues. You’ll start with a video intro and then launch into the game with your chosen strategy defining the path it takes. Spend your budget coins wisely as you take on this challenge!
2. Cybersecurity Lab
As the CTO of a start-up social networking company (options include the cleverly named Einstagram, SnapCat, WattsAmp, and Phasebook), you’re in charge of cybersecurity during increasingly sophisticated attacks. Bolster your defenses to fend off foes in varying challenges that involve password and code cracking, and more.
3. Cyber Awareness Challenge
In this training-style game designed by the military, you hear a message from the year 2030, where cybersecurity incidents that happened in the past are seriously impacting life. You’re tasked with preventing these events from occurring or resolving the issues using evidence from the case file on each situation. Your goal is to lower the overall threat status and change the future.
4. Keep Tradition Secure
A hacker named "Bad Bull" is threatening Texas A&M's campus traditions. Tracking this threat monger down requires answering a serious of cybersecurity questions and making your way around campus. This is one of a series of games Texas A&M Information Technology has created to promote National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Check out each of the cyber security awareness games the team has created since 2010.
5. Traveling Securely
There's mischief at the airport! Act quickly to identify potential criminals. You have 3 minutes to catch them all.
In this game by Fortra's Terranova Security, players are challenged to identify potential threats to information and technology used by traveling employees.
6. Brute Force (Password Security)
This password security game teaches users about password strength, and how to turn passwords into a long and strong passphrase.
7. Who is the Risk? (Insider Threats)
Developed by the US Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE), this game focuses on insider threats. You'll work to determine which character is likely to pose an insider threat risk to your organization by asking a series of questions and determining if their responses may be a PRI (potential risk indicator).
8. King of the Hill
For the more advanced players, King of the Hill is a competitive hacking game in which you compete against 10 other online players to compromise a machine and then quickly patch vulnerabilities to stop other players from taking your position.
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Take the Next Step
From reconnaissance through achieving objectives, Fortra interrupts attackers at every step of the attack chain.