The NICE Challenge Project is Rebranding to XP Cyber!

Page Last Updated: October 2nd, 2024

Why We Are Rebranding & What to Expect

After a decade as the NICE Challenge Project, we are rebranding to Experience Cyber, or XP Cyber for short. This rebranding is meant to better encompass all the different work we do in the cyber education space and recognize that after ten years, we are not just a 'project' anymore. As part of this effort, we will rebrand the NICE Challenge Webportal and the NICE Challenge Helpdesk.

This rebranding transition will occur in two phases, the soft transition phase and the hard transition phase, over the next four months (October 2024 through January 2025). The when and what of these phases have been designed to be the least disruptive to our academic user base. For more details on what will occur in the phases and to learn how you might be affected, please review the Rebranding Phases section below.

To stay up-to-date, be sure to sign up for the e-newsletter and check back into this page throughout this effort.

New Official Names, URLs, & Email Addresses

No New Accounts Needed & Users Will Not Lose Anything

This rebranding will not require our users to create new accounts to use the XP Cyber Range. All user accounts and associated data will seamlessly transition during the Hard Transition Phase and coexist during the Soft Transition Phase.

Additionally, this effort will not require our users to create new accounts to use the XP Cyber Support Portal. All user accounts and associated data will seamlessly transition during the Hard Transition Phase and remain untouched during the Soft Transition Phase.

Rebranding Phases

Soft Transition Phase (October 2024 through December 2024)

During the soft transition phase, an open beta version of the XP Cyber Range will be available at https://range.xpcyber.com, and the NICE Challenge Webportal will continue to operate normally. While these two coexist, all users will be able to use them interchangeably. All user accounts, seat credits, assignments, workspaces, submissions, and available content (e.g., challenges) are shared between them.

Additionally during the soft transition phase, all new educators seeking to get Curator accounts will need to sign up for the NICE Challenge Webportal (which will also allow them to access the XP Cyber Range), all support will be done through the NICE Challenge Helpdesk, and all support documentation will reference the NICE Challenge Webportal.

Managing Assignments, Players, & Submissions Warning

If you use the XP Cyber Range to make/edit assignments, add players, or review submissions, players will receive emails from no-reply@xpcyber.com, and the links within those emails will link to the XP Cyber Range. During the soft transition phase, we strongly suggest Curators use the NICE Challenge Webportal to make/edit assignments, add players, or review submissions. We believe this will cause the least confusion for you and your players and allow your players to beta test the XP Cyber Range only when and if they choose.

Platform Email Address Change Warning

The XP Cyber Range sends emails using a new email address, no-reply@xpcyber.com. The emails it sends must be able to be received by Curators and Players for them to set up their accounts, reset their passwords, receive assignment & workspace notifications, and any other non-support emails. If your institution requires email addresses to be whitelisted before your Curators or Players can receive emails from them, you will need to have the platform new email address, no-reply@xpcyber.com, whitelisted before you can start using the XP Cyber Range during the soft transition phase.

XP Cyber Range Open Beta Update & Issue Notice

While the XP Cyber Range is in Open Beta, we may change the look and feel of the web application. If you experience issues using the XP Cyber Range, you can switch to the NICE Challenge Webportal anytime. However, if you encounter issues using the XP Cyber Range, please let us know via the NICE Challenge Helpdesk.

Hard Transition Phase (January 2025)

During the hard transition phase, the NICE Challenge Webportal will be phased out and will eventually no longer be available, and users will need to use the XP Cyber Range instead. All user accounts, seat credits, assignments, workspaces, submissions, and content (e.g., challenges) on the NICE Challenge Webportal will be available on the XP Cyber Range.

Additionally during the hard transition phase, all new educators seeking to get Curator accounts will need to sign up via a new sign-up form on the XP Cyber Website, all support will be done through the XP Cyber Support Portal (NICE Challenge Helpdesk user accounts will move over to the XP Cyber Support Portal), and all support documentation will be updated to reference the XP Cyber Range.

Platform Email Address Change Warning

The XP Cyber Range sends emails using a new email address, no-reply@xpcyber.com. The emails it sends must be able to be received by Curators and Players for them to set up their accounts, reset their passwords, receive assignment & workspace notifications, and any other non-support emails. If your institution requires email addresses to be whitelisted before your Curators or Players can receive emails from them, you will need to have the platform new email address, no-reply@xpcyber.com, whitelisted before you can start using the XP Cyber Range. Once the hard transition phase is complete, you will no longer be able to access the NICE Challenge Webportal, and critical platform emails will no longer come from the email address no-reply@nice-challenge.com.

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about this rebranding or the transition phases, please reach out to us on the NICE Challenge Helpdesk.