Upcoming Festival of the Phishes to Promote Cybersecurity Awareness

Chico State’s Division of Information Technology is excited to announce the return of the annual Festival of the Phishes, a cybersecurity awareness carnival, on October 1. This fun and informative event will take place on campus and is open to all students, faculty, staff, and campus community partners.

The Festival of the Phishes is part of Chico State’s ongoing efforts to promote cybersecurity awareness and provide the campus community with the tools to stay safe online. This year’s festival promises a unique blend of education and entertainment, featuring carnival games, a mechanical surfboard, food, prizes, and opportunities to learn how to spot and avoid online scams. Attendees can engage in hands-on activities designed to help them recognize phishing attempts, secure their devices, and protect personal information.

“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility,” said Joshua Compton, information security analyst for the Division of IT at Chico State. “As technology becomes more integrated in our daily lives, the importance of raising security awareness cannot be overstated. The Festival of the Phishes gives us an opportunity to engage our Chico State community in a fun and interactive way while highlighting the crucial role every one of us plays in safeguarding our digital environment.”

A highlight of this year’s festival is the community art show, the Museum of Mishaps. Students, staff, and faculty are submitting their creative takes on classic posters, reimagined with a cybersecurity theme. This ongoing exhibit will showcase unique and thought-provoking artwork across campus, keeping cybersecurity messaging alive long after the festival ends.

“The Museum of Mishaps is a creative way to leverage generative AI tools and have fun with them in programs like Adobe Photoshop and make cybersecurity awareness memorable at the same time” said Scott Sleeper, lead graphic designer and curator of the exhibit. “With the new digital tools available in graphics design programs now, I think people will see that it is now easier than ever to modify images that would normally be very technically challenging.”

In addition to the interactive games and activities, the event will offer educational resources on topics like password security, multi-factor authentication, and identifying fraudulent messages. IT experts will be on-site to answer questions and provide personalized advice on staying secure in today’s digital landscape.

“With the growing sophistication of social engineering in phishing attacks, it’s more important than ever for everyone to stay informed and vigilant,” said Yvonne Martini, associate director of IT Support Services. “Through interactive games, we aim to help the Chico State community build skills that will protect them both on and off campus when faced with cyber scams.”

Event Details:

• Date: October 1, 2024
• Time: noon–4 p.m.
• Location: Trinity Commons
• Admission: Free for all Chico State students, faculty, and staff

The Division of IT encourages everyone to attend the festival, enjoy the activities, and gain valuable knowledge about protecting their digital lives.

About Chico State’s Division of IT
The Division of Information Technology at Chico State is committed to enhancing the University’s technological environment by offering innovative solutions, support, and educational resources to students, faculty, and staff. Through initiatives like the Festival of the Phishes, the Division of IT aims to foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness and digital responsibility across the campus community.