Warning
This is still in the idea stage.
Many people can benefit from learning cybersecurity principles. However, many of our club resources are built for students who have a strong technical foundation. These resources may prove to be inaccesible to students who are not already familiar with computers.
In a situation where we are presenting to the 11-13 age range, where students cannot be expected to have deep technical proficiency, it may be hepful to have a resource that illustrates cybersecurity concepts without requiring computers at all.
Computers always do exactly as they are told.
Hackers can look at the instructions, and find ways to manipulate them.
Caution
Goal, input, and instructions are still poorly defined in this draft.
There are three distinct groups:
- Computer - executes instructions
- Blue Team - tries to create instructions that accomplish a goal
- Red Team - looks at the instructions, and tries to manipulate the input to perform a different outcome.
Tip
Players may or may not cycle between teams. I don't know what would be better.
It's great to get students moving and active.
This activity starts with two spots on the floor, begin and end.
The computer starts on begin and looks at a set of instructions (posted on a whiteboard or something) and follows the instructions exactly.
The blue team wants the computer to reach the end.
The red team wants the computer to not reach the end.
The instructions consist of:
- go forward
- turn left
- turn right
- if (something in front of you)
Caution
What is input supposed to be?? idk. maybe we play on a grid system, and the red team has to manipulate what's on the grid. that would require a lot of materials though. it would be nice to figure out some type of input that doesn't need a large variety of prep time. maybe just using sheets of colored paper would work. (e.g. if you're in front of a RED square, do this; attackers move the red square; you're always in a barrier of green squares.)
Fun Cyber Activity by NKCyber is licensed under CC BY 4.0
