Gamification in Cybersecurity: Improving Employee Compliance through Game-Based Learning and Incentives.

Fachano, Efoseh Iliya (2023) Gamification in Cybersecurity: Improving Employee Compliance through Game-Based Learning and Incentives. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from cyber-attacks. To prevent attacks caused by human error, organizations must ensure that their employees are aware of security measures and follow relevant standards and protocols. While different security awareness programmes are available, the most effective ways for raising security awareness are still debatable. Nowadays, companies use various methods such as policies, procedures, and training sessions to increase security awareness. Traditional information security training sessions have relied heavily on presentation slides and videos. This study explores how gamification can be used effectively to improve employee compliance with cybersecurity practices. An experiment was conducted with two groups where there was an experimental group with gaming elements and a control group without gaming elements. A quiz was given to both groups at the end of the experiment to measure their knowledge retention on the topic of OWASP Top 10. The experimental group had an overall accuracy score of 63% while the control group had an overall accuracy score of 57%. The findings of the experiment suggests that gamified learning can be more effective than traditional slides and manuals as it can improve knowledge retention of participants taking part in cybersecurity awareness training. This indicates that making cybersecurity education more enjoyable, rewarding, and competitive, organizations can increase employee engagement and motivation to adhere to security measures, ultimately reducing the risk of cyber-attacks.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Supervisors:	Name Email Ayala-Rivera, Vanessa UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure Q Science > QA Mathematics > Electronic computers. Computer science T Technology > T Technology (General) > Information Technology > Electronic computers. Computer science Q Science > QA Mathematics > Computer software > Computer Security T Technology > T Technology (General) > Information Technology > Computer software > Computer Security
Divisions:	School of Computing > Master of Science in Cyber Security
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	16 Apr 2025 14:28
Last Modified:	16 Apr 2025 14:28
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/7434

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