The Duke Medicine and Duke University information security offices will host a Symantec Cyber Readiness Challenge event at University Tower on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Symantec’s Cyber Readiness Challenge is an immersive, interactive “capture the flag” competition that models real-life security scenarios using simulated IT infrastructure. Designed for many levels of technical skill and experience, it allows participants to expand their awareness of how hackers target systems and exploit vulnerabilities; learn security testing techniques and tools;
compete against peers for prizes; and earn Continuing Professional Education, or CPE, credit for IT and security certifications.

The challenge is open to faculty, staff and students. You don’t have to be an IT expert to compete; you just need basic knowledge of systems and networking, and an interest in learning more. The event will be structured with 15 teams of three competing against each other.  If you  want to register as an individual, we will pair up individuals to create teams at the time of the event.

Participants will need to bring a laptop and set up some security testing tools. (If possible, use a machine other than your primary work laptop, although the tools can be configured to run in a virtual machine if necessary.) After registration, you will receive further details on hardware and software requirements, as well as guidance on how configure your system.

The free event will run from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Room 118 at University Tower, 3100 Tower Blvd. To participate, please register at the following URL: https://secure.e-ventcentral.com/events/CyberReadinessChallenge/. Select the Nov. 13 Durham event. You will be asked to set up two user accounts, one for the event registration site and one to be used during the challenge. Please do not reuse your Duke NetID or password for either.