Physical Security Escape Room: A Unique Approach to Security Awareness Training
Recent statistics have highlighted the crucial role of human error in data breaches and security incidents. In fact, according to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 74% of breaches involve the human element, including social engineering attacks, errors, or misuse. As a result, organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for effective security awareness training to mitigate these risks.
To address this need, innovative approaches are being explored to create training that is memorable, engaging, and impactful. One such approach is the use of a physical operational security “escape room” as a training exercise. Kim Burton, head of trust and compliance with Tessian, has successfully used this method to raise awareness about physical security among employees.
Immersive Learning Experience
The physical security escape room is designed to simulate a real-life scenario where employees roleplay as criminal social engineers who have broken into a building. The room initially appears to be a regular office space, but upon closer inspection, participants discover information that could be used for nefarious purposes. For example, they might find a password in a trash can or an unclosed video conference meeting. The objective is to make participants realize the importance of physical security and understand how seemingly innocuous details can be exploited by criminals.
By experiencing these scenarios firsthand, employees gain a unique perspective and are more likely to remember the need to keep sensitive information secure. They learn the importance of practices such as keeping whiteboards clean, locking laptops, and properly disposing of documents to protect the company.
Addressing Shortcomings in Awareness Training
While the physical escape room is a creative and engaging approach to security awareness training, it is just one piece of the puzzle. Lisa Plaggemier, executive director at National Cyber Security Alliance, emphasizes that frequency is a key factor in effective training. Many organizations still fall short in the delivery of awareness training, with 33% of companies failing to provide any cybersecurity awareness training to remote workers. Even among organizations that do provide training, it is often administered only annually, which is far from effective.
Plaggemier suggests that awareness training should be delivered on a short but frequent basis, avoiding the once-a-year approach. This ensures that the training remains fresh in employees’ minds and can adapt to the evolving threat landscape. It is also essential to go beyond compliance mandates and create training programs that are compelling, timely, and engaging.
Moving Beyond Compliance
Dr. Jason Nurse, director of science and research at CybSafe, notes that many security awareness programs fail because organizations view training as a mere checkbox for compliance. To make training more effective, security leaders need to approach it holistically and tailor it to the specific needs and risks faced by different roles within the organization.
Delivering training through communication channels that employees use daily, such as Slack and Teams, can also increase engagement and the likelihood of behavior change. Research by CybSafe found that office workers are more likely to act on security advice provided on these platforms. Additionally, the frequency of training plays a significant role in its effectiveness. Regular, engaging training delivered multiple times a week helps employees retain knowledge and apply it effectively in their day-to-day activities.
The Importance of Storytelling and Individualization
Kim Burton highlights the importance of storytelling in security awareness training. By sharing real anecdotes and examples, employees can see themselves in the narrative and understand their unique contribution to the security story of the organization. Gamification is another effective technique that goes beyond leaderboards, making learning fun and engaging. Challenges, puzzles, and positive reinforcement for secure behaviors can foster curiosity and create a sense of achievement.
Building trust and relationships with employees is also crucial. The security educator should be someone who employees can turn to for guidance and support, someone who is well-known within the organization as a reliable and approachable source of information. By becoming a trusted figure, the security educator can create a safe space for employees to discuss difficult concepts, share concerns, and learn from mistakes.
Editorial: Rethinking Security Awareness Training
Traditional approaches to security awareness training have often fallen short in effectively addressing human error and mitigating cybersecurity risks. The use of physical security escape rooms and other innovative training methods demonstrates a shift towards more engaging and impactful learning experiences. However, organizations must go beyond the novelty of these approaches and address fundamental shortcomings.
First and foremost, frequency is crucial. Annual training rituals no longer suffice in an ever-evolving threat landscape. Short, frequent training sessions ensure that the information remains fresh in employees’ minds and can be adapted to address emerging risks.
Furthermore, training programs must go beyond compliance mandates and consider the specific needs and risks faced by different roles within the organization. One-size-fits-all training may meet compliance requirements, but it often lacks depth and fails to engage employees effectively. Tailoring training to individual roles and providing contextually relevant examples and exercises can significantly improve its effectiveness.
Finally, embracing storytelling, gamification, and a holistic approach to training can make the learning experience enjoyable, memorable, and impactful. By creating a culture of cybersecurity awareness within the organization and fostering a sense of individual responsibility, organizations can empower employees to make secure decisions and actively contribute to the overall security posture.
Advice for Effective Security Awareness Training
To create a memorable and effective security awareness training program, organizations should consider the following tenets:
Work with how people work
- Use knowledge about human memory, learning processes, and incentives to create training that has long-term impact.
Approach holistically
- Understand the unique challenges faced by employees, such as local and internal culture, professional backgrounds, and perception of the security team.
Tell stories
- Share real anecdotes and examples, helping employees see themselves in the narrative and understand their contribution to the organization’s security story.
Gamify the learning experience
- Make training fun by incorporating challenges, puzzles, and positive reinforcement for secure behaviors.
Build trust
- Create relationships with employees, becoming a trusted source of information and a safe person to discuss difficult concepts, mistakes, and concerns with.
By following these principles, organizations can move beyond forgettable, compliance-driven training and develop security awareness programs that leave a lasting impact on employees. Ultimately, a well-executed training program can empower employees to become the first line of defense against cyber threats.
<< photo by Meghan Holmes >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.
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