A Classroom-Based Study of CyberGuardian: An Educational Game for Learning Cryptographic Primitives (SIGCSE TS 2026 - Posters)

Who

Shan Huang, Geoffrey Herman, Alan Sherman

Track

SIGCSE TS 2026 Posters

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When

Fri 20 Feb 2026 15:00 - 17:00 at Hall 1 - Posters - Posters Session #3

Abstract

To make cybersecurity concepts more accessible to non-technical students, we present our classroom-based study of CyberGuardian, an educational game designed to teach cryptographic primitives through simplified, real-world scenarios. Players assume the role of a cybersecurity advisor, providing guidance to simulated clients and analyzing authentic messages to assure confidentiality, data integrity, and authentication through three cryptographic primitives: symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption, and digital signature. CyberGuardian is freely available, easy to deploy at scale, and implemented as a single-player offline game compatible with macOS and Windows. Our learning objectives are to enable students to: (1) Identify how an adversary can interfere with communications; (2) Explain how cryptographic primitives can mitigate dangers; and (3) Apply cryptographic primitives to reduce vulnerabilities. In our classroom-based study, conducted during in-person lab sessions with 92 students, we administered a pre-test, post-test, a Likert-scale motivation questionnaire after gameplay. Test results showed that learners improved their ability to define and apply cryptographic primitives after playing CyberGuardian for 40 minutes. Despite students’ low expectancy of success for applying objectives 2 and 3 to other situations, students found the game overall effective, motivating, enjoyable, and relevant to their personal lives. Game logs revealed persistent confusion between symmetric and asymmetric encryption in Levels 3 and 4. Therefore, we plan to refine CyberGuardian by improving the clarity of in-game instructions and level-passing criteria.

Shan Huang

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

United States

Geoffrey Herman

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

United States

Alan Sherman

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

United States

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Session Program

Fri 20 Feb
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15:00 - 17:00	Posters Session #3Posters at Hall 1 - Posters

15:00 2h Talk		Integrating AI and Entrepreneurship: Preparing CS Undergraduates for Startups and Innovation Posters Ze Shi (Zane) Li University of Oklahoma, Sridhar Radhakrishnan University of Oklahoma
15:00 2h Talk		The Efficacy of One Computer Science Course's Approach to Address the Ethical Dilemmas Surrounding Women in Computer Science Posters Cara Mann UC Davis, Kurt Eiselt University of California, Davis, Adrienne Decker University at Buffalo
15:00 2h Talk		Kotlin in the Data Structures Classroom Posters Dave Musicant Carleton College
15:00 2h Talk		To Tell or to Ask? Comparing the Effects of Targeted vs. Socratic AI Hints Posters Zhixian Liding Georgia Institute of Technology, Michael Osmolovskiy Georgia Institute of Technology, Harshith Lanka Georgia Institute of Technology, Ronnie Howard Georgia Institute of Technology, Nimisha Roy Georgia Institute of Technology, Rodrigo Borela pc
15:00 2h Talk		Topic-Level Feedback Summarization for an Explanation-Based Classroom Response System Posters Jordan Esiason North Carolina State University, Wookhee Min North Carolina State University, Seung Lee North Carolina State University, Gamze Ozogul Indiana University Bloomington, Xiaoying Zheng Indiana University, Yeil Jeong Indiana University, James Lester North Carolina State University
15:00 2h Talk		Improving Online Learning: Using Utterance Distribution to Improve Student-Facing Assistants in Discussion Forums Posters Wolfgang Edholm University of California, Berkeley, Justin Park University of California, Berkeley, Mihran Miroyan University of California, Berkeley, Chancharik Mitra pc, Narges Norouzi University of California, Berkeley
15:00 2h Talk		Using Containers to Prevent Generative AI Use in Lab Exams Posters Kate Panter Western Washington University, Scott Wehrwein Western Washington University, Hanxiang Du Western Washington University
15:00 2h Talk		Exploring How LLMs Use Probability to Generate Text: Interactive Activities for Middle School StudentsK12 Posters Saniya Vahedian Movahed University of Texas at San Antonio, John Quarles University of Texas at San Antonio, David Touretzky Carnegie Mellon University
15:00 2h Talk		A Classroom-Based Study of CyberGuardian: An Educational Game for Learning Cryptographic Primitives Posters Shan Huang University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Geoffrey Herman University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Alan Sherman University of Maryland, Baltimore County
15:00 2h Talk		The Ethics of Augmented Reality in Computer Science Education Posters Zubair Zabir Rollins College, Sirazum Munira Tisha Rollins College
15:00 2h Talk		Gaming Towards Understanding: Shifting AI Perceptions in High School StudentsK12 Posters Bryan Wallace Georgia Institute of Technology, Jane Awuah GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Judith Uchidiuno Georgia Institute of Technology
15:00 2h Talk		Motivational Differences to Learn Computer Science Among Middle School Boys and GirlsK12 Posters Joseph Tise Institute for Advancing Computing Education, Monica McGill Institute for Advancing Computing Education
15:00 2h Talk		LearnSPH: A Tool for Teaching the Basics of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics in Graphics Research Posters Martin Angell New York University, Gizem Kayar Ceylan pc
15:00 2h Talk		Visualizing course content with knowledge graphsGlobal Posters Shizhong Yu Toronto Metropolitan University, Preeti Raman Toronto Metropolitan University
15:00 2h Talk		A New Course in Computational Music Theory Posters Thomas J. Borrelli Rochester Institute of Technology
15:00 2h Talk		Integrating Computer Science into Classrooms: A Professional Development Initiative for Rural Educators Posters Zhuoying Wang The University of Texas at Austin, Miriam Jacobson The University of Texas at Austin, Amy Carrell The University of Texas at Austin, Sheryl Roehl The University of Texas at Austin
15:00 2h Talk		Viability of Large Language Models as CS Theory Tutors Posters Wolfgang Frable United States Military Academy, Alexander Trevino United States Military Academy, Ryan Dougherty United States Military Academy
15:00 2h Talk		Code, Test, Battle: Gamifying CS2 Through Adversarial Programming Tournaments Posters Rifat Sabbir Mansur Virginia Tech
15:00 2h Talk		INSIGHT: An Explainable, Instructor-Guided AI Assistant for Active Learning in CS1 Posters Muntasir Hoq North Carolina State University, Jessica Vandenberg North Carolina State University, Seung Lee North Carolina State University, Bradford Mott North Carolina State University, James Lester North Carolina State University, Narges Norouzi University of California, Berkeley, Shuyin Jiao North Carolina State University, Bita Akram North Carolina State University
15:00 2h Talk		Integrating Human-Centered Data Science into Computing Education: Insights from Semi-Structured InterviewsGlobal Posters Victoria Chui Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Kelly McConvey Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Daniel Chui Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Malayna Bernstein Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Shion Guha University of Waterloo
15:00 2h Talk		Exploring Bilingual Coding for Inclusive Computer Science Learning Posters Ethel Tshukudu San Jose State University, Neel Asheshbhai Shah San Jose State University, Thien Khang Kieu San Jose State University, Leqaa Deeb San Jose State University, Harshitha Venkateswaran San Jose State University, Aarav Ghai San Jose State University, Yusuf Gadelrab San Jose State University, Nishanth Nagesh San Jose State University, Purujit Hada San Jose State University
15:00 2h Talk		Adaptive Curriculum Maps: Graph Augmented Retrieval Oriented LLM’s for Education Posters Sai Teja Bainapalepu Pace University, Monalisa Mondal Pace University, Jinit Desai Pace University, Krishna Bathula Pace University
15:00 2h Talk		Classmoji: A GitHub-Native LMS for Flexible CS Education Posters Pape Sow Traore Dartmouth College, Tim Tregubov Dartmouth College
15:00 2h Talk		Modeling Ethical Technology Use with Generative AI Posters Grace Barkhuff Georgia Institute of Technology
15:00 2h Talk		Exploding Qubits: A Quantum Themed Card Game Posters Diana Franklin University of Chicago, David Gonzalez-Maldonado University of Chicago
15:00 2h Talk		Individualized Quizzes From Student Code with LLMs Posters Ed Novak Franklin and Marshall College, Brad McDanel Franklin and Marshall College
15:00 2h Talk		Situating LLMs in Time: A Visual Tool for Teaching the History and Architecture of Modern NLP Posters Michael Gathara University of Alabama at Brimingham, Aditya Makineni University of Alabama at Brimingham, Amber Wagner pc
15:00 2h Talk		Exploring K-12 In-Service Teachers’ Strategies Applied in Learning Java for The First TimeK12 Posters Latoya Chandler University of Florida, Priyadharshini Ganapathy Prasad University of Florida, Rui Huang University of Florida, Maya Israel University of Florida
15:00 2h Talk		MaskingAgent: Preventing LLM Tutor from Providing Full Solutions in Python Programming CoursesGlobal Posters Jeonghun Baek The University of Tokyo, Tetsuro Yamazaki University of Tokyo, Akimasa Morihata University of Tokyo, Junichiro Mori The University of Tokyo, Yoko Yamakata The University of Tokyo, Kenjiro Taura The University of Tokyo, Shigeru Chiba The University of Tokyo
15:00 2h Talk		CNPE: A Framework of Challenges & Needs in Proof Education Posters Romina Mahinpei Princeton University, Sofiia Druchyna Princeton University, Xinran Bi Princeton University
15:00 2h Talk		Microcontent in Action: How CS1 Students Use Lecture Snippets to Engage with Fundamental Programming ConceptsGlobal Posters Owen Tang University of New South Wales, Sydney, Jake Renzella University of New South Wales, Sydney, Alexandra Vassar University of New South Wales, Sydney
15:00 2h Talk		Exploring Differences in Perceived Confidence Between Native and Transfer Computer Science Students Posters Saili Karkare University of California, Davis, Tanek Swain University of California, Davis, Niharika Misal University of California, Davis, Joël Porquet-Lupine University of California, Davis
15:00 2h Talk		Teaching Students to Navigate Intellectual Property Ethics in AI-Assisted Development Posters Tanvi Ladha University of California, Santa Barbara, Maryam Majedi pc
15:00 2h Talk		Exploring LLMs for Generating Erroneous Examples in CS1 Posters Yuxuan Chen University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Victor Zhao University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Kangyu Feng University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Junyu Zhang University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Vedan Malhotra University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Mariana Silva University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
15:00 2h Talk		Supporting a Quantitative Survey Using A Structured Technique Posters Liam Custer University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Nadia Najjar University of North Carolina at Charlotte, David Wilson University of North Carolina at Charlotte
15:00 2h Talk		Using a Language Model to Map Syllabi to Core Competencies Posters Alyssa Kalish University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Masooda Bashir University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
15:00 2h Talk		Integrating Industry AI/ML Practices into Academia: Towards Bridging the Industry/Academia Gap Posters Arash Abdoli University of La Verne
15:00 2h Talk		VISTA: Virtual Interactive Simulation for Teaching Assistants Posters Fatemeh Sarshartehrani Virginia Tech, Margaret Ellis Virginia Tech, Brett Jones Virginia Tech, Asma Al Qahtani Virginia Tech, Denis Gracanin Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
15:00 2h Talk		Modular Approach to Teaching Post-Quantum Cryptography Posters Thomas J. Borrelli Rochester Institute of Technology, Sumita Mishra Rochester Institute of Technology, Monika Polak University of Rochester, Stanislaw Radziszowski Rochester Institute of Technology
15:00 2h Talk		What Happens When Students Leave Office Hours? Measuring Post-Interaction Code Progress in CS2 Projects Posters Matthew Zahn North Carolina State University, Sarah Heckman North Carolina State University, Lina Battestilli North Carolina State University
15:00 2h Talk		A Data-Driven Approach to Teaching Accessibility in CS Posters Abigayle Peterson Western Washington University, Jadyn Barrett Western Washington University, Dion Udokop Western Washington University, Paul Ezeamii Rochester Institute of Technology, Kristen Shinohara Rochester Institute of Technology, Catherine Baker Creighton University, Yasmine Elglaly Western Washington University
15:00 2h Talk		Gender Differences in Class Participation in Online versus In-Person Core CS Courses Posters Madison Brigham University of California, Davis, Joël Porquet-Lupine University of California, Davis
15:00 2h Talk		Pathways to Teaching K12 Computer Science: Implications of a Pilot Study of Ten StatesK12 Posters Julie Smith Institute for Advancing Computing Education, Jennifer Rosato University of Minnesota
15:00 2h Talk		GLOW: AI‑Simulated Students Improve GTA Readiness Posters Ethan Dickey Purdue University, Ashok Saravanan Purdue University, Alexander Siladie Purdue University, Houyame Lkhider Purdue University, Quiondriya Gee Purdue University, Andres Mauricio Bejarano Posada Purdue University
15:00 2h Talk		LayerStudio: A Visual Approach to Building Neural Networks Posters Aditya Makineni University of Alabama at Brimingham, Sunny Patel University of Alabama at Brimingham, Jay Patel University of Alabama at Brimingham, Tony Do University of Alabama at Brimingham, Jeet Patel University of Alabama at Brimingham, Amber Wagner pc
15:00 2h Talk		Pedagogical Ethos: How Beliefs and Attitudes Shape Instruction Posters Karanjot Kaur The University of Texas at Austin, Emily Green ETR Associates, Stephanie N. Baker The University of Texas at Austin, Allen Antoine The University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA, Carol Fletcher The University of Texas at Austin, Joshua Childs The University of Texas at Austin
15:00 2h Talk		Personal Informatics in Undergraduate Data Science: Learning by Analyzing the Self Posters Lujie Karen Chen University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Jennifer Posada University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Sydnee Angus University of Maryland, Baltimore County
15:00 2h Talk		Leveraging an LLM-Driven Feedback System to Support Computational Thinking and AI-Integrated STEM LearningK12 Posters Ananya Rao North Carolina State University, Krish Piryani North Carolina State University, Shiyan Jiang North Carolina State University at Raleigh, Tiffany Barnes North Carolina State University, Jennifer Albert , Marnie Hill NC State University, Bita Akram North Carolina State University
15:00 2h Talk		Anchoring Computing in Social Studies Through Co-Designed Objects-to-Think-With Global Posters Adelmo Eloy University of Sao Paulo (USP), Walter Akio Goya Columbia University, Nathan Rabinovitch Kit beta, Paulo Blikstein Columbia University, Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico,
15:00 2h Talk		CS Transfer Guidelines for Two-Year Programs: A Curricular Model Integrating AI, Cybersecurity, Ethics, and the Profession Posters Christian Servin El Paso Community College, Markus Geissler Cosumnes River College, Pam Schmelz Ivy Tech Community College, Cara Tang Portland Community College, Cindy Tucker Bluegrass Community and Technical College
15:00 2h Talk		Integrating Adversarial Computing into Foundational CS Education: Teaching Security and Adversarial Thinking Posters Christian Servin El Paso Community College, Nadia Karichev El Paso Community College
15:00 2h Talk		Auto-X: An Automatic Explainer for CS Theory Concepts Posters William Gregory United States Military Academy, Matthew Wanta United States Military Academy, Ryan Dougherty United States Military Academy