Brought to you by the Big Ten Academic Alliance

Level Up Your Cyber Game

Wednesday, October 1
12:30-1:30 p.m.

Today, good cyber skills are the new life skills, and we’re here to put your mind through the motions in a turbocharged game show that tests your abilities

Join us online and compete against players from other Big Ten schools. Answers are scored on both accuracy and speed. You can join from your mobile device or computer.

Passwordle

Monday, October 6-Friday, October 31

If you enjoy Wordle but wish it taught something useful, try Passwordle. You’ll play as an ethical hacking apprentice guessing five-letter passwords in six tries using mock social media clues. Learn about online security and compete for prizes during the month of October. It’s casual, educational and maybe a bit addictive.

Name the Cyber Mascot

Monday, October 13-Friday, October 17

Be the voice behind our shell-strong cybersecurity champion! We’re holding a contest to name our turtle mascot and craft a tagline that captures the spirit of cybersecurity at Illinois.

What to submit

A creative name for the turtle mascot.
A catchy tagline that reflects cybersecurity strength, awareness and campus protection.

Winner receives

Cybersecurity swag pack.
Campus-wide recognition.
Their name and tagline featured on official Cybersecurity Champions program materials.

Presented by the Big Ten Academic Alliance

Scary Cyber Tales: Don’t Let Your Data Go Bump in the Night

Wednesday, October 22
1–2 p.m.

Journey into the real-life dangers of the digital world. Hear real-world stories of cyberattacks, data breaches, and online scams that will make you think twice about your digital security. Learn about the most common threats, from phishing and ransomware to malware and social engineering, and get practical tips on how to protect yourself. Join a team of cybersecurity experts for an hour of spooky tales and essential security lessons to ensure your digital life doesn’t turn into a scary cyber tale! 

Presented by the Big Ten Academic Alliance

Rachel Tobac: Exploiting Trust – The Human Element of Security

Wednesday, October 29
11 a.m.

Rachel Tobac executes social engineering attacks for a living and uses her real-life ethical hacking stories to keep organizations updated on methods criminals are using to trick people.  She’ll break down recent cyber-attacks in the news, and how to defend against the latest hacking methods, even when criminals are using AI. Her tales from the field and live hacking demonstrations throughout the presentation are sure to keep you and your team “politely paranoid” to catch the next human hacker in the act.