Calling all creative minds! As part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, we’re launching a poster design contest to showcase the U of T community’s talent and ideas. Whether hand-drawn, digital, or AI-assisted, your poster can inspire others to “Protect our digital future” and could be featured across campus.

Official rules

Submission period

• October 6 at 12:00 a.m. ET to November 9 at 11:59 p.m. ET 2025
• Winners announced and directly messaged after the contest closes once entries are reviewed

How to enter

Option 1: Instagram submission

• Upload your design as a feed post
• Tag @uoftinfosec
• Use hashtags #UofT #CyberMonth2025 #uoft_poster2025

Option 2: Email submission

• Send your poster to security.training@utoronto.ca
• File type: .jpg, .png or .psd
• Dimensions: 1080 × 1350 px

Judging criteria

• Entries will be evaluated on:
• Relevance to cybersecurity themes
• Creativity and originality
• Visual impact
• Clarity of message

Submission guidelines

• One entry per person (multiple entries will be disqualified)
• Both hand-made and AI-assisted designs are welcome
• Hand-made entries must include the statement: “I claim that my work is made by myself without any assistance from AI tools.”
• Original work only (no copyrighted material)
• No offensive or discriminatory content
• Artist name on poster optional

Prizes and recognition

🥇 1st place: $500 Visa gift card
🥈 2nd place: $300 Visa gift card
🥉 3rd place: $200 Visa gift card

Winners will be featured on the Information Security Instagram and showcased across campus.

Winner selection and notification

• Winners chosen based on judging criteria
• Announced after judging is complete via Instagram and direct message
• Winners must respond within five business days or another will be chosen
• Prize pickup at the St. George campus (details shared with winners)

Copyright and usage

• Artists retain copyright
• U of T has promotional rights to use submissions online and in print for educational purposes
• Winners may include their design in portfolios and self-promotion

Disclaimers

• Sponsored by the Information Security department, University of Toronto
• Not sponsored or endorsed by Instagram
• No purchase necessary
• Prizes are non-transferable
• No cash alternatives
• Information Security department not responsible for lost entries or platform issues
• Contest rules may be amended if necessary

🚀 Ready to design? Submit today and help make our digital world safer.

Questions? Contact security.training@utoronto.ca.