Cyber Security training application for a global audience

The Brief

Rising to the Challenge

Following the success of the Cyber Defense Squad game, Ahold Delhaize aimed to further challenge their employees' cyber security knowledge. They sought a more advanced training exercise that would push their staff's skills and awareness to new heights. The solution was a new video game, The Walking Threat, set in the same universe as Zoe and Bert.

This game introduced more complex puzzles and additional game rooms, creating a challenging environment where employees raced against the clock to save the store from cyber threats. Incorrect answers incurred a five-second penalty, increasing the pressure to perform well and achieve a top spot on the leaderboard.

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Solution

Innovative Integration

Spinbox developed a new Angular application, integrated with the existing .NET Core Cyber Defense Squad platform, allowing both games to coexist seamlessly. This integration not only enhanced the current game but also set the stage for future expansions.

Over a series of two-week development sprints, Spinbox delivered the following key features:

Four game rooms: players must solve puzzles in gated rooms before progressing, adding pressure to complete each challenge swiftly to advance.
Fill-in-the-blanks puzzle: players complete cyber security-related terms by filling in the blank letters of incomplete words.
Find the red flags: players identify hidden security threats within various communications, such as texts and social media posts.
Spot the opportunities: players identify smart devices at risk of security threats.
Finish-the-sentence puzzle: players drag and drop the correct words into partially-written sentences to complete phrases and identify cyber security facts.
Multiple choice questions: players select the correct option from multiple choices to answer questions about cyber security.
Voicemail puzzle: players listen to voicemails and determine if they can be trusted.
CCTV puzzle: players watch a series of videos and click when they spot a hazard within the scenes
Leaderboard: after completing the game, players see their ranking compared to their colleagues, based on their completion time

These features collectively provided a comprehensive and engaging training experience, effectively enhancing the cyber security awareness and skills of Ahold Delhaize employees.

Results

Achievements Unlocked

The Walking Threat was met with positive feedback from Ahold Delhaize employees, who found the game both engaging and educational. The collaboration with Clarity, who devised the game and provided the design and assets, and Spinbox, who developed and integrated the game, resulted in a seamless and effective training tool.

The online availability of The Walking Threat was particularly beneficial, allowing employees across the globe to enhance their cyber security knowledge while working remotely. The game's innovative approach and challenging puzzles ensured that employees remained engaged and motivated while improving their skills, contributing to a stronger and more cyber-aware workforce.