Classroom-Ready Cybersecurity Learning Simulations

Free, interactive cyber awareness activities developed as part of graduate research in computer science and piloted as supplemental learning materials in cybersecurity, AI, game development, and computing courses.

Learn cybersecurity concepts through short, game-based simulations covering phishing, deepfakes, impersonation, and emerging AI threats.

These learning simulations are currently being used as optional, instructor-led activities in select community college courses for instructional evaluation and student feedback.

Explore Classroom Learning Simulations

Games

Each simulation is mapped to specific cybersecurity competencies and is designed to improve spam detection skills.

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Spoof Smashers

Rapid identification of spoofed and malicious email indicators under time pressure. Trains pattern recognition for phishing, impersonation, and social engineering tactics.

Spoof Blaster

Simulated high-volume threat triage exercise focused on recognizing malicious messaging patterns while filtering benign traffic in a dynamic environment.

Phish Burst

Timed phishing analysis challenge requiring fast, accurate classification of messages based on sender behavior, content cues, and contextual risk signals.

Email Scam Detective

Scenario-based investigation of real-world email scams, emphasizing analytical reasoning, threat validation, and decision-making consistent with SOC workflows.

Text Scam Detective

Applied analysis of SMS-based social engineering attacks (smishing), including urgency cues, spoofed identities, and fraud patterns seen in modern mobile threats.

Deepfake Detection

Analytical assessment of AI-generated media and impersonation attempts, helping learners to identify visual, linguistic, and contextual indicators of synthetic content.

Threat Lab Demo

A learning module demonstrating applied threat analysis and assessment.

Interactive threat-identification

Users successfully complete simulations to gain real-world readiness.

All brands and references are for educational use in this free demo and does not constitute endorsement.

Why These Learning Simulations?

These cybersecurity simulations were developed to support classroom learning through hands-on, scenario-based activities that emphasize judgment, analysis, and real-world context. They are currently being used as optional supplements alongside existing coursework.

Learning by Doing

Many cybersecurity concepts are difficult to internalize through lectures or readings alone. These activities emphasize hands-on exploration, decision-making, and applied problem solving in realistic but low-risk scenarios.

Recognizing and responding to phishing and impersonation attempts
Analyzing suspicious emails and digital artifacts
Understanding how AI-generated deepfakes are created and detected
Practicing secure handling of files and information

Simulation-Based, Not Passive

Cybersecurity often requires reasoning under uncertainty. The simulations are designed to help learners:

Identify patterns and warning signs
Make decisions with incomplete information
Learn from mistakes through repetition and feedback

The goal is engagement and understanding, not memorization.

Grounded in Realistic Scenarios

Learners interact with simulated environments inspired by real cybersecurity roles and situations, such as:

Analyzing suspicious emails and alerts
Evaluating social-engineering tactics
Exploring offensive and defensive security concepts at a conceptual level

All activities are designed for educational use and do not involve real systems.

Designed to Complement Existing Courses

These materials are intended to complement, not replace, existing curricula in:

Cybersecurity and information security
Computer science and programming
AI, data, and emerging technology courses

Instructors can select only the activities that align with their course objectives.