Over 1,000 state employees participate in Cybersecurity Awareness Month
WaTech’s state Office of Cybersecurity recently wrapped up a successful Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaign, bringing together more than 1,000 participants from over 60 state agencies and 140 educational institutions, local governments, and Tribal entities.
The event used presentations, hands-on activities, and advice from cybersecurity experts to help strengthen the state against cyber threats.
The presentations during the month were well attended and covered a broad range of cybersecurity topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), staying cyber safe at home and data privacy.
AI topics were a clear hit, drawing a lot of interest from participants eager to explore both its potential and security implications. Presentations on governance, risk, and compliance, and how to protect yourself from cyber threats at home also attracted significant attention, providing essential tools for government employees and tech professionals alike. For every presentation attended, each attendee was entered into a weekly random drawing.
Each week, WaTech also held interactive experiences to keep participants engaged and learning:
CyberHeist, a new data clue game, was a virtual interactive challenge hosted weekly where participants took on the role of cyber detectives to solve a simulated data breach. Each week, WaTech provided new clues that required participants to parse through data and make strategic decisions to uncover the truth and identify the insider threat actor. The first person to submit the correct answer at the end of the month won a prize.
Kahoot! Quizzes challenged participants with gamified questions based on real-world cybersecurity concepts, such as spotting phishing attempts, identifying weak passwords, or understanding network vulnerabilities. Every correct answer earned the player points, creating a fun and competitive environment where players could test their knowledge while learning practical skills. Each week the person with the correct and fastest response won a prize.
The Cyber Escape Room was an in-person event that allowed teams to work together to solve cybersecurity scenarios, simulating real-world problem-solving in a digital security environment. The activity allowed participants to apply their sleuthing skills collaboratively. More than 170 state workers on 34 teams from 20 state agencies competed against each other to see who could finish with the fastest time. Challenge coins and bragging rights were awarded to “The Encryptors” team from the Office of the Washinton State Auditor who had escaped in under 25 minutes.
Throughout the month, WaTech emphasized the importance of collaboration in securing Washington state’s IT infrastructure. Speakers brought fresh insights and best practices from beyond the public sector, helping participants understand broader cybersecurity trends. Presentations from agency leaders and state cybersecurity experts also highlighted challenges, such as protecting sensitive data and adapting to emerging threats in real time.
Don’t worry if you missed or would like to rewatch a presentation. Each session was recorded and is available on Cybersecurity Awareness Month Presentations | WaTech..
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