The Cyber Threat Defender Starter Deck (2020) is available in both English and Spanish. This decks includes 54 cards, which is the minimum number of cards needed to play. Booster packs can be added to this starter deck to encourage more strategic defensive or offensive play. Specific card types may be featured multiple times in the Starter Deck.
An attacker has been listening to the wireless transmissions of your opponent. The attacker has collected critical files and login data and can now access your opponent’s systems.
Select a Wireless Network card that your opponent has in play. Your opponent loses two (2) points each round for two (2) rounds. Remove this card from play after two rounds.
Your opponent has downloaded a game which is actually a Trojan Horse, a type of malicious software (malware). While the game is played, the program is also sending copies of files to an attacker.
Select an opponent. That opponent loses one (1) point per round until this card is countered.
Your opponent responded to an email asking for their security/login information. The attacker can now access your opponent’s account and system.
Select an opponent. That opponent loses two (2) points each round for two (2) rounds. Remove this card from play after two rounds.
Your opponent picked a bad or weak password. An attacker was able to guess the password and has accessed their accounts and system.
Select an opponent. That opponent loses one (1) point each round for two (2) rounds. Remove this card from play after two rounds.
Your opponent is hit by the “I Love You” email virus. It appeared to be an email from a friend with the subject “I Love You” but contained an attachment that destroyed system files when opened.
Select an opponent. That opponent loses one (1) point per round until this card is countered and removed from play.
An attacker has launched a Denial of Service (DoS) attack against your opponent’s systems. One system is now not functioning and no work can be accomplished on it.
Select an Asset – System card that your opponent has in play. That Asset – System cannot generate any points for one (1) round. Remove this card from play after one (1) round.
These attacks use a variety of methods to attack a target and disrupt their activities. This can last for weeks and is capable of creating diversions to elude security defenses.
Your opponent loses two (2) points per round while this card is in play.
You attended a security training course to learn about ways you can improve your security.
Select either a Password Cracked or a Phishing card that an opponent has in play. When played, both this card and the target card are discarded.
Your opponent experiences a loss of electrical power. This means that no work can be accomplished.
Select an opponent. That opponent loses their turn and receives no points during that round for any of their Asset cards.
Your opponent chose a very poor wireless encryption key which allowed an attacker to crack or break it, thus gaining the ability to monitor their wireless traffic.
Select an Encryption card that your opponent has in play. Both this card and the target Encryption card are discarded.
The failure of critical computer and network equipment causes your opponent to lose the use of an asset.
Select an Asset – System card that an opponent has in play. Both the target card and this card are discarded.
Your opponent forgot to install a critical security update to their operating system (OS). Their system is now vulnerable to attack.
Select an opponent. If they do not have an OS Update/Patch card in play, choose at random one (1) card from their hand to discard. Otherwise, if they have an OS Update/Patch card in play, remove that card from play. This card is removed from play after use.
Your opponent has forgotten to update their firewall rules, which will allow attackers to penetrate it using newer exploits.
Select a Firewall card that an opponent has in play and discard that card. Your opponent loses two (2) points this round. Remove this card from play after one (1) round.
You received an increase to your security budget and purchased newer and more powerful equipment.
Attach this card to an Asset – System card that you have in play. While the attached Asset – System is in play, it generates one (1) additional point each round.
Your opponent did not update their virus and malware signature database. This means they are vulnerable to recent virus and malware attacks.
Select one (1) Anti-Malware/Virus card that your opponent has in play. Both this card and the target card are discarded.
You have received a notification that there is a critical update to your operation system (OS). It patches a security vulnerability that would allow attackers to take over your computer.
This card will prevent one (1) “Forgot to Patch OS” event card, but this card must be in play before the Forgot to Patch OS event card is in play. You may only have one of this card in play.
You configure host-based firewalls on all of your systems and servers. Firewalls typically establish a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external network, such as the Internet.
While in play, this card counters and prevents Attack – Denial cards targeting you. You may only have one of this card in play.
You activate encryption on your wireless device. This scrambles the signal so that attackers can’t listen to your wireless traffic.
Select a Wireless Network card that you have in play and attach this card to it. That Wireless Network is now encrypted. While encrypted, it cannot be the target of Wireless Sniffing cards. Remove from play any Wireless Sniffing cards that affect the encrypted Wireless Network.
You recently acquired a backup generator to keep your systems functioning in case of an electrical failure. Once this detects a loss of electricity, the generator immediately begins providing power until the electrical failure is fixed.
You may prevent one (1) Power Outage from affecting you. If you choose to do so, put this card at the bottom of your draw pile. You may only have one of this card in play.
You install or update anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer systems. This prevents known viruses and other malicious software (malware), but needs to be updated periodically.
This card removes all Attack – Malware cards targeting you and remains in play. While this card is in play, you cannot be the target of Attack – Malware cards. You may only have one of this card in play.
This wireless router allows laptop computers and other wireless systems to be connected to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
This card allows unlimited Wireless type cards to be put into play.
A typical laptop computer that can be used to connect to the Internet via a Wireless Router.
You must have a Wireless Network type card in play before playing this card. You receive 1 point each round this card is in play.
Establishes a connection to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
This card allows you to put 2 Desktop or Server cards into play. You cannot gain points unless you have at least 1 ISP Connection in play.
A typical desktop computer that can be used to connect to the internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
You receive 1 point each round this card is in play.
A server is more powerful than a desktop or laptop, has more memory, and is dedicated to running the services you need for your network.
Select 1 Asset – System that you have in play. Discard that Asset – System and put this card in play. You receive 2 points each round this card is in play.
The CIAS was established at UTSA in June of 2001 as part of UTSA’s creation of a cybersecurity program. The CIAS delivers quality research, training, K-12 education, and competition and exercise programs to advance organizational and community cybersecurity capabilities and collaboration.
