--- title: "Category: K-12 • The UTSA CIAS" language: "en-US" canonical_url: "https://cias.utsa.edu/category/k-12/" source_url: "https://cias.utsa.edu/category/k-12/" content_type: "text/markdown" --- ## [Cyber Threat Defender Wins Silver Medal in Serious Play Awards Annual International Competition](https://cias.utsa.edu/cyber-threat-defender-wins-silver-medal-in-serious-play-awards-annual-international-competition/) [![Silver Award Digital Badge for the 2025 International Serious Play Awards](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/SP_2025-silver.png)](https://cias.utsa.edu/cyber-threat-defender-wins-silver-medal-in-serious-play-awards-annual-international-competition/) SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is proud to announce that its educational card game, Cyber Threat Defender (CTD), has been recognized as a Silver Medal winner in the 2025 International Serious Play Awards Program. Each year, the Serious […] ## [Store](https://cias.utsa.edu/store/) [![Compilation of a Cyber Threat Defender set, including starter deck, game mat, rulebook and booster packs](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CTD-Game-Sampling.png)](https://cias.utsa.edu/store/) Cyber-themed Card Games, Posters, and more! Check out the CIAS Online Store! ## [K-12 Overview](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/) [![Players at the 2018 CTD Tournament](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_20181006_100742661_BURST000_COVER_TOP-2048x1448.jpg)](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/) K-12 and Beyond A Decade of Play, Purpose, and Protection For 10 years, Cyber Threat Defender (CTD) has transformed cybersecurity concepts into an engaging tabletop experience. What began as a simple idea—teach network defense through play—has evolved into the CIAS K-12 Cyber Journey Program, inspiring students from elementary through high school to think like cyber […] ## [CTD Card Design Challenge](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctd/card-design-challenge/) [![A blank, template for a Cyber Threat Defender asset card](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Blue_blank.webp)](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctd/card-design-challenge/) Community members, students and anyone over age 11 can share their knowledge – and passion – of cybersecurity by creating their own CTD card. ## [Cyber Threat Guardian Rules](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctg/rules/) [![A PowerPoint slide explaining the Cyber Threat Guardian card game](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ctg-02.png)](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctg/rules/) CTG Rules Cyber Threat Guardian (CTG) is a multi-player card game, for ages five and up, that introduces players to technology and cybersecurity terms and concepts. See the About page. Like other family games, it involves a little strategy and a bit of luck. This game provides a fun way for younger children to begin […] ## [Cyber Threat Protector Rules](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctp/rules/) [![Cyber Threat Protector open classroom box with card decks and a rulebook](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CTP-Classroom-Box_transparent-background.png)](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctp/rules/) Cyber Threat Protector is designed as a two-player game, but it can be modified to allow for more players. Below is a brief overview to help you get started. ## [San Antonio CTD Tournaments](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctd/sa-tournament/) [![Various ages, middle school to college, competing at the 2018 CTD Tournament in San Antonio](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_20181006_100809847_BURST000_COVER_TOP-2048x1395.jpg)](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctd/sa-tournament/) San Antonio CTD Tournaments Cyber Threat Defender Rules How to play Play online Digital Tournaments DIY Design Challenge Classroom Resources Sponsorships Cyber Threat Defender (CTD) tabletop card game tournaments are small, entry level events on a local scale. Initially held in San Antonio, Texas, these tournaments are open to all players ages 11+. Minimal entry […] ## [Store Overview](https://cias.utsa.edu/online-store/) [![Student reviewing Cyber Threat Defender cards in her hand with the game mat in front of her](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220305_112724.jpg)](https://cias.utsa.edu/online-store/) Check out our new online store! ## [Cyber Threat Defender Rules](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctd/rules/) [![A CTD PowerPoint slide explaining what Cyber Threat Defender is about](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/page-1.jpg)](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctd/rules/) CTD Rules Cyber Threat Defender Rules How to play Play online Digital Tournaments DIY Design Challenge Classroom Resources Sponsorships About Cyber Threat Defender is designed as a two-player game, but it can be modified to allow for more players. Below is a brief overview to help you get started. For more detailed instructions, including an […] ## [Cyber Threat Defender](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctd/) [![Compilation of a Cyber Threat Defender set, including starter deck, game mat, rulebook and booster packs](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CTD-Game-Sampling.png)](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctd/) Since April 2016, Cyber Threat Defender (CTD) has been teaching students worldwide about essential cybersecurity information and defense strategies. Created as a multi-player, collectible card game, CTD is designed to be fun and easy-to-play for ages 11 and up. ## [Cyber Threat Guardian](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctg/) [![Two Cyber Threat Guardian characters](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Guardians_duo.png)](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctg/) Cyber Threat Guardian (CTG) is a multi-player card game, for ages five and up, that introduces players to technology and cybersecurity terms and concepts. ## [Cyber Threat Protector](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctp/) [![CTP Character Icon](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CTP-Icon-travis.svg)](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctp/) About Cyber Threat Protector Cyber Threat Protector (CTP) is a multi-player card game, targeting grades 3-5, that introduces players to technology and cybersecurity terms and concepts. With an average game lasting 20 minutes, players will learn basic cybersecurity terminology, be introduced to a network infrastructure, learn about the relationships between cyber-attacks and defense counter measures, […] ## [CTD Play Digital](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctd/play-online/) [![A screenshot of the CTD Digital game screen](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CTD-Digital-Game-Screen.png)](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctd/play-online/) Play CTD Digital Cyber Threat Defender Collectible Card Game (Age 11+) Rules How to play Play online Digital Tournaments DIY Design Challenge Classroom Resources Sponsorships Cyber Threat Defender (CTD): Digital is a video game simulation of the tabletop collectible card game. Players challenge non-player, or computer-based, opponents with varying levels of difficulty. CTD: Digital can […] ## [High School & Middle School](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/high-school-middle-school/) [![Several students stand around a table as two competitors finish their round of play](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CTD-Tournament2-2048x1369.jpg)](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/high-school-middle-school/) Supporting Grades 6-12 High School & Middle School Since April 2016, Cyber Threat Defender (CTD) has been teaching middle and high school students worldwide about essential cybersecurity information and defense strategies. Created as a multi-player, collectible card game, CTD is designed for anyone aged 11 and up. This game supports technology and cybersecurity learning objectives […] ## [K-12 Sponsorships](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/sponsorships/) [![A Cyber Threat Defender tournament at Zachary Magnet Middle School](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/C0004T01.jpg)](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/sponsorships/) Sponsorships Support K-12 Classrooms The CIAS thanks our growing network of sponsors and community partners for their support in building a culture of cybersecurity in classrooms nationwide. Our amazing sponsors have helped donate 108,500+ cybersecurity card games to classrooms worldwide… and it continues to reach more students each month. Additionally, these classroom sets are being […] ## [About the CyBears](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/cybears/) [![All six members of the CyBear family](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CyBear-All-Bubble-Characters-1.png)](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/cybears/) Meet The CyBears Invite Alan CyBear to Your Area! Follow Alan CyBear’s Adventures online! Facebook Instagram Online Store The CIAS K-12 Cyber Journey Program is designed to introduce students to cybersecurity education and possible career paths in STEM disciplines, especially cybersecurity. To increase interest and learning capabilities, this initiative is centered around the CyBear™ family. […] ## [STEM Worksheets](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/stem-worksheets/) [![CIAS Activity Worksheet to help young learners develop math skills while learning about technology](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Grade-4-5-Activity-Sheet26.jpg)](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/stem-worksheets/) K-5 STEM Worksheets With help from the CyBear family and other cybersecurity mascots, the CIAS has developed free cybersecurity and technology-focused activity sheets to introduce young learners in grades K-5 to STEM concepts while complementing classroom curriculum. These areas of interest range from learning the Alphabet, numbers and counting, colors, pattern recognition, mathematics, cryptography and computer […] ## [K-12 Cybersecurity Games](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/cybersecurity-games/) [![Illustration of Vint CyBear playing computer games at a desk](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Vint_CIASGames-computer-1.png)](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/cybersecurity-games/) K-12 Cybersecurity Games Download the CIAS Game Launcher For Your PC Shape In 2015, the Air Force Association contracted with the CIAS to develop three digital games for its Elementary School Cyber Education Initiative (ISCEI): Security Showdown 2, Packet Protector and JeffOS. Since those initial games were created, two additional prototype educational games were developed […]