Cyber Defense Challenge made possible by Target

Interested in tackling intel-driven scenarios to understand the threat actor behind malicious behaviors? Ready to analyze the malware that threat actors deploy in their victim’s systems? Then dive in and work directly with the Target cybersecurity team on their very own WiCyS-specific crafted Cyber Defense Challenge!

This unique program will provide hands-on experience, giving participants a taste of what it’s like to be on a Cyber Defense Team. Challengers will build upon Strelka, a well-known cyber defense tool for threat detection. This engaging program is for WiCyS members to dive in, gain new learning experiences, network with an inclusive cohort of peers, work one-on-one with the Target cybersecurity team, and explore what threat detection and intelligence are all about.

After going through the program, participants will learn how threat actors think, explore how to leverage threat intelligence to write detection, gain experience working with different roles on a cyber defense team, contribute to open-source technology and build their network by joining the cohort. The top 10 participants will also receive a scholarship to attend the 2023 WiCyS Conference.

No previous cybersecurity experience is required to join this training since it’s a tiered, multi-staged learning opportunity; however, it’s helpful to have some background in development and an understanding of Python and cryptography.

View the Cyber Defense Challenge made possible by Target webinar HERE

Registration available March 17 – April 7, 2022

Tiers:

Each participant will experience being part of the Cyber Defense team that is defending against cyber-attacks by a known threat actor. The first tier will investigate and report on the actor’s malicious document by using malware analysis tools and techniques. In the second tier, challengers will discover a payload that the actor uses in the attacks and have the chance to analyze and report findings to your team. Finally, in the third tier, challengers will parse and extract the actor’s indicators that a compromise has occurred to further help the defense team protect against future threats.

Please note: This is a fictional scenario created by the Target team for purposes of training for WiCyS members.

Grading Rubric:

• Engagement in Cohort

• Attendance to Kick-off Webinars and Check-Ins

• Report Structure

• Challenge Details

Tier 1 timeline:

April 7: Applications close

April 8: Participants added to Slack cohort

April 11 at 7pm CT: Tier 1 Kick-Off Webinar (Zoom invites will be sent)

Open Office Hours: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 2-4 pm (CST)

May 13: Tier 1 ends (form closed)

May 27: Notifications sent

Tier 2 timeline:

May 27: Tier 2 participants added to Slack cohort

June 2 at 7pm CT: Tier 2 Kick-Off webinar (Zoom invitations will be sent)

Open Office Hours: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 2-4 pm (CST)

July 8: Tier 2 ends (form closed)

July 22: Notifications sent

Tier 3 timeline:

July 22: Tier 3 participants added to Slack cohort

July 28 at 7pm CT: Tier 3 Kick-Off webinar (Zoom invites will be sent)

Open Office Hours: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 2-4 pm (CST)

September 2: Tier 3 ends (form closed)

September 19: Notifications sent

September 26:  Top 10 work with Target team on presentation preparation

October: Presentations to Target team