October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. WaTech's Office of Cybersecurity has several fun events under the theme “Smarter, Safer, Stronger” planned to help you stay safe online, and protect information entrusted to the state from cyber threats.
Activities will include an in-person escape room and a online quiz game. In addition, there will be weekly presentations by cybersecurity and privacy experts. State employees who attend presentations and participate in events will be entered into weekly drawings for gift cards. There also will be prizes for winners of the escape room and cyber quiz competitions.
Cybersecurity awareness presentations
Kick-off presentation
Oct. 1, 2025: Noon - 1 p.m.
Ralph Johnson, Chief Information Security Officer - WaTech
Bill Kehoe, Chief Information Officer - WaTech
Cybersecurity Awareness Month, launched in 2004 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, is an annual campaign held every October to educate individuals and organizations about the importance of online safety. Over the years, it has evolved to address modern cyber threats, from phishing attacks to ransomware...read more
Building a Cyber-Resilient Community Through Professional Engagement
Oct. 2, 2025: 11 a.m. - Noon
Dan Leiter, Outreach Director - ISSA Rainier
This session will highlight how involvement in professional organizations like Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)-Rainier Chapter empowers individuals and teams to stay ahead of emerging cybersecurity threats. It will explore how community engagement, continuous learning, and peer collaboration directly support the development of smart habits, technical skills, and strategic awareness across all cybersecurity domains...read more
"Don’t Panic!” A Hitchhikers Guide to Incident Response
Oct. 7, 2025: 11 a.m. - Noon
Iain Sloan, Chief Information Security Officer - Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
Click here to view all presentations.
Cyberbytes
Cyberbytes will be posted weekly in the month of October. Watch previous years cyberbytes here
Events!
Kahoot! Quiz games
WaTech’s Office of Cybersecurity will host a cybersecurity quiz competition on Microsoft Teams each week. Your host, Jessie Wachter, will be on hand to guide players through the quiz and answer questions at the end. A Security Engineer at WaTech's Office of Cybersecurity by day, wanna-be quizmaster by night, Jessie is excited to be hosting the Cybersecurity Awareness Month Kahoot! quizzes again this year.
Jessie said the game combines two things she really enjoys, cybersecurity and quizzes! Providing the knowledge to make good cybersecurity choices can help everyone, whether in the work environment or at home. “I really hope to see everyone at the live events, to be held on every Thursday in October,” Jessie said. “If you can't make that, a link will be provided that allows access to the quiz from Thursday afternoon to the end of day Friday."
- Dates: TBD
- Time: TBD
2025 Cybersecurity Escape Room 2.0
The 2025 Cybersecurity Escape Room will take place at the 1500 Jefferson Building! The Cybersecurity Escape Room is a team experience that brings people together in a plot-based scenario that will have you solving puzzles and working together while learning about key cybersecurity awareness behaviors.
Your elite team has been invited! Should you accept this 45 minute challenge, you'll be escort to a secret location. Team costumes may receive bonus participation points. Look out for the Easter eggs and pitfalls on your quest. Never fear of losing your way because your intrepid guide is nearby but at a cost.
You and your team have a chance to win cool prizes and impress your friends!
- Sign Up Here
- Provide information about your state agency team. (must be 2-6 people)
- Important: Signups are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please coordinate with your team members on three date and time options.
Questions? Please contact Rhonda Mendel at WaTech.