Florida State University to compete against 11 Florida universities in virtual ‘Cyberween’ game

By: Parker Ladle, Anna Prentiss | Published: | 9:36 am | SHARE: Share on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare on X

Previously named the Cyber Bowl, the Cyberween online game assesses participants’ abilities to respond to cyberthreats. This year, Cyberween is scheduled from Monday, Oct. 20, to Friday, Oct. 31. 
Previously named the Cyber Bowl, the Cyberween online game assesses participants’ abilities to respond to cyberthreats. This year, Cyberween is scheduled from Monday, Oct. 20, to Friday, Oct. 31. 

Florida State University’s Information Technology Services (ITS) is collaborating with 11 Florida universities to promote online safety for students, faculty and staff. 

Previously named the Cyber Bowl, the Cyberween online game assesses participants’ abilities to respond to cyberthreats. This year, Cyberween is scheduled from Monday, Oct. 20, to Friday, Oct. 31.

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“This year’s Cyberween promises to be incredibly exciting,” said Bill Hunkapiller, FSU’s chief information security officer. “One of our key goals is to raise awareness about the risks people face in today’s digital landscape.”  

During training, players will enter a virtual haunted house and encounter five cybersecurity scenarios, ranging from phishing emails to fraudulent logins. 

“As the cybersecurity industry bolsters its defenses with advanced technologies and artificial intelligence, many bad actors are turning to social engineering tactics,” Hunkapiller said. “Users should be extra vigilant about the authenticity of communications, including links, text messages and phone calls.” 

At the end of the competition, the university with the highest participation from current students and employees will take the title of Cybersecurity Champion.  

All are welcome to play, but current FSU students, faculty and staff have a chance to win big prizes. Those who play are entered into a grand prize drawing to win one of two $500 FSU tuition scholarships or a pair of tickets to the FSU vs. Virginia Tech football game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15. 

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month takes place each October as a joint initiative between government and industry to inform the public about cybersecurity and provide resources for safer online practices.  

In addition to the Cyberween virtual game, ITS will be hosting a number of training courses throughout the month of October. These trainings include:

For more information, visit its.fsu.edu/cybersecurity or head to its.fsu.edu/cyberween to play the virtual Cyberween game and help FSU secure the title of Cybersecurity Champion!