🍁Operation Maple Cipher
A WWII Canadian Intelligence Cybersecurity Mission
🎯 Mission Briefing - Top Secret
Date: November 15, 1943
Location: Canadian Military Intelligence Office, Ottawa
Agent: You are a member of the Canadian Intelligence Corps
Mission: German U-boats are threatening Allied supply convoys in the North Atlantic. Our intelligence suggests they're using a new encryption system to coordinate attacks. You must break their codes and secure our communications before the next convoy departs in 45 minutes!
Objective: Complete 5 cybersecurity missions based on real WWII Canadian intelligence work to stop the enemy and protect Canadian lives.
🔐 Mission 1: Secure the Communication Center
The German spies have been trying to break into our communication center. We need to create a strong password for our radio encryption system.
Create a password that meets these criteria (like the security protocols we used in 1943):
- At least 8 characters long
- Contains uppercase and lowercase letters
- Contains at least one number
- Contains at least one special character (!@#$%^&*)
💡 Cybersecurity Lesson: Password Security
Strong passwords are your first line of defense. In WWII, codebooks were like passwords - they had to be kept secret and changed regularly.
🔍 Mission 2: Decode the Intercepted Message
We've intercepted a German message! It appears to be encoded with a Caesar cipher (shift cipher) - the same type the Romans used, but the Germans are using it for simple field communications. We have to decode the message to protect our allies.
🛠 Try Your Own Caesar Cipher
💡 Cybersecurity Lesson: Encryption & Decryption
Encryption transforms readable text into coded text. Caesar cipher shifts each letter by a fixed number. Modern encryption is much more complex but follows the same principle.
🎭 Mission 3: Identify the German Spy
A suspicious person has been asking questions around the base. They claim to be a new Canadian officer, but something doesn't seem right. You must identify the social engineering tactics they're using.
Scenario: Someone approaches you saying:
💡 Cybersecurity Lesson: Social Engineering
Social engineering is when attackers manipulate people to reveal confidential information. During WWII, spies used these techniques to gather intelligence.
🌐 Mission 4: Secure the Telegraph Network
The Germans have been intercepting our telegraph communications. We need to secure our network using proper authentication protocols.
You're setting up a secure communication protocol. Arrange these steps in the correct order:
💡 Cybersecurity Lesson: Authentication & Authorization
Authentication verifies WHO you are, Authorization determines WHAT you can access.
In WWII, this was done with passwords, code words, and security clearances.
🚨 Mission 5: Emergency Response Protocol
ALERT! We've detected a security breach! A German agent has infiltrated our communications and is transmitting our convoy routes. You must follow proper incident response procedures.
Current Situation: Unauthorized transmission detected from Building C, Radio Room 3. Classified convoy routes being broadcast on German frequencies.
💡 Cybersecurity Lesson: Incident Response
When a security breach occurs, following the right steps quickly can minimize damage. This was crucial during WWII when lives depended on secure communications.