Developing a Gamified Cybersecurity Training Program for Remote Work.
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| Title: | Developing a Gamified Cybersecurity Training Program for Remote Work. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Abu-Amara, Fadi1 fadi.abuamara@su.edu, Khattab, Ali2 ali.khattab@student.potomac.edu |
| Source: | International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning. 2026, Vol. 21 Issue 1, p22-34. 13p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Interactive learning, *Employee education, Phishing, Computer password security, Internet security, Data security failures, Telecommuting |
| Abstract: | Remote work has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase requires stronger protection for the organization’s network, devices, and applications. It also requires enhanced security measures to mitigate cyber threats. Regulations and the rise in cyberattacks mandate organizations to train employees on the latest cybersecurity threats and attack techniques. In this work, we develop an interactive web game that raises employee awareness and improves their understanding of the latest cyber threats. The Cyber Battle game consists of three phases, with three scenarios per phase. The password complexity phase educates employees on password complexity, periodic password changes, and secure password storage. The phishing attack phase trains employees on identifying and handling phishing emails. Finally, the remote working phase trains employees on secure personal device usage and document handling when working remotely. To offer an enjoyable and interactive learning experience, we incorporate gamified learning elements into the Cyber Battle game, such as a point system to track progress, progressive levels with gradually increased difficulty, and a leaderboard to encourage healthy competition. We assessed the game’s effectiveness using pre- and post-game surveys. The game and survey results show an improvement in employees’ cybersecurity awareness. Furthermore, employees provide positive feedback and consider the game a more useful and interactive learning tool than traditional training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning is the property of International Association of Online Engineering (IAOE) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
| FullText | Links: – Type: pdflink Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 191023892 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Developing a Gamified Cybersecurity Training Program for Remote Work. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Abu-Amara%2C+Fadi%22">Abu-Amara, Fadi</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> fadi.abuamara@su.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Khattab%2C+Ali%22">Khattab, Ali</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><i> ali.khattab@student.potomac.edu</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Emerging+Technologies+in+Learning%22">International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning</searchLink>. 2026, Vol. 21 Issue 1, p22-34. 13p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interactive+learning%22">Interactive learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employee+education%22">Employee education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Phishing%22">Phishing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+password+security%22">Computer password security</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Internet+security%22">Internet security</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+security+failures%22">Data security failures</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Telecommuting%22">Telecommuting</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Remote work has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase requires stronger protection for the organization’s network, devices, and applications. It also requires enhanced security measures to mitigate cyber threats. Regulations and the rise in cyberattacks mandate organizations to train employees on the latest cybersecurity threats and attack techniques. In this work, we develop an interactive web game that raises employee awareness and improves their understanding of the latest cyber threats. The Cyber Battle game consists of three phases, with three scenarios per phase. The password complexity phase educates employees on password complexity, periodic password changes, and secure password storage. The phishing attack phase trains employees on identifying and handling phishing emails. Finally, the remote working phase trains employees on secure personal device usage and document handling when working remotely. To offer an enjoyable and interactive learning experience, we incorporate gamified learning elements into the Cyber Battle game, such as a point system to track progress, progressive levels with gradually increased difficulty, and a leaderboard to encourage healthy competition. We assessed the game’s effectiveness using pre- and post-game surveys. The game and survey results show an improvement in employees’ cybersecurity awareness. Furthermore, employees provide positive feedback and consider the game a more useful and interactive learning tool than traditional training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning is the property of International Association of Online Engineering (IAOE) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=191023892 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.3991/ijet.v21i01.58053 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 13 StartPage: 22 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Interactive learning Type: general – SubjectFull: Employee education Type: general – SubjectFull: Phishing Type: general – SubjectFull: Computer password security Type: general – SubjectFull: Internet security Type: general – SubjectFull: Data security failures Type: general – SubjectFull: Telecommuting Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Developing a Gamified Cybersecurity Training Program for Remote Work. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Abu-Amara, Fadi – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Khattab, Ali IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 01 Text: 2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 18630383 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 21 – Type: issue Value: 1 Titles: – TitleFull: International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning Type: main |
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