Competitive exercises are one means to motivate and teach information security concepts to students. Along the Colorado front range, schools have joined together to teach students security concepts using a regional security assessment exercise, known as the Computer and Network Vulnerability Assessment Simulation, or CANVAS. CANVAS shares some elements with a typical “Capture the Flag” exercise, but differs from other security competitions in the overall approach to the exercise, in the exercise objectives, in team makeup, and in the evaluation criteria. Teams are formed at the exercise and combine students from different backgrounds. Points are awarded based on successful strategy and written reports as well as typical “flags”.