Cybersecurity Awareness Escape Game
- A simulated cyberattack against a city airport was thwarted by high school students in an "escape game" designed to raise awareness about cybersecurity risks and hacking.
- According to a recent study, one in ten local authorities reported experiencing one or more cyberattacks last year.
- Cédric Pradel,Director General of the Agence caribéenne pour la cybersécurité (ACCYB),engaged a group of twenty high school students by emphasizing the interconnectedness of modern technology.
Cyberattack Averted: Students Tackle Digital Threats in “Escape Game”
Table of Contents
A simulated cyberattack against a city airport was thwarted by high school students in an “escape game” designed to raise awareness about cybersecurity risks and hacking.
The Growing Threat of Cyberattacks
According to a recent study, one in ten local authorities reported experiencing one or more cyberattacks last year. This highlights the critical need for communities to understand and address these risks.
Cybersecurity Education in Action
Cédric Pradel,Director General of the Agence caribéenne pour la cybersécurité (ACCYB),engaged a group of twenty high school students by emphasizing the interconnectedness of modern technology. “La raison pour laquelle je me retrouve face à vous aujourd’hui, c’est qu’en fait, tout est connecté,” he stated, before inquiring about their smartphone usage.
The students,enrolled in professional programs such as “MELEC” (Electronics and Connected Environments) and “CIEL” (Cybersecurity,IT and Networks,Electronics) at the Emile Letournel State High School,participated in a timed exercise.
Thay had only ten minutes to prevent a cyberattack targeting a fictional airport in a French overseas territory served by the ACCYB. Evan, a student, described the challenge: “Là, je dois trouver le compte Facebook du hacker. J’ai trouvé son prénom et son nom. (…) Et je dois trouver sa formation en fonction de ce que j’ai trouvé sur le tableau.”
The goal is to shift mindsets and improve the identification of future threats. One student,pleased with his “expert” level score,remarked,”en vrai,c’était vachement cool (…), ça peut être utile pour pleins de gens… C’est une bonne initiative.”
Pradel emphasized the importance of understanding the implications of social media activity. “L’objectif, c’est vraiment d’avoir une approche ludique des choses et que chacun puisse se sensibiliser et prendre conscience que ce que l’on publie sur les réseaux sociaux, est une partie de notre intimité,” he cautioned. He further added,”Cette intimité peut être utilisée par d’autres personnes à des fins malveillantes.“
ACCYB’s Regional Cybersecurity Initiative
The Agence caribéenne pour la cybersécurité (ACCYB) proposed the intervention as part of a partnership established in 2022 between several overseas territories, including Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Saint-barthélemy, and Saint-Martin. Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon joined the group in 2024.
During a week-long visit, the ACCYB engaged with local stakeholders in the archipelago to raise awareness about the critical issue of cybersecurity, wich affects all sectors of society, from businesses to individuals.
key Takeaways
- Cybersecurity awareness is crucial for individuals and organizations.
- interactive exercises like “escape games” can effectively educate about cyber threats.
- social media activity can expose personal facts to malicious actors.
- Regional partnerships are essential for strengthening cybersecurity defenses.