Applying Basic Gamification Techniques to IT Compliance Training: Evidence from the Lab and Field

Abstract

Companies depend on internal control to protect the integrity of information systems. IT security and data privacy training are critical controls for safeguarding company information. Employees often dislike the training, however, which can cause a lack of attention to, and poor understanding of, training concepts leading to less effective internal control. To improve the training experience, companies are implementing principles of games in employee training modules, a practice known as gamification. Utilizing a laboratory experiment on data privacy training and a field study involving IT security training for employees of a bank, we test whether a training environment with basic gamification elements results in greater trainee satisfaction and knowledge acquisition than traditional, non-gamified training. We find basic gamification results in higher satisfaction levels in the lab and field, but only marginally significant improvements in learning. Furthermore, these learning improvements are quite small (e.g., 1 to 3 percent). Finally, we find that “gamers” (i.e., those who participate in gaming on their own time) gain more knowledge from gamified training than “non-gamers,” although gamers are less satisfied with gamified training

Gamification of Information Security Awareness and Training

“…In contrast to Baxter et al (2015), who only measured gamification impact from a one-time effort, the long-term effects of a durable program would be of much greater interest. From our work we derive a hypothesis that although short-term learning outcomes may be reduced with gamification, there is a potential to keep people open to learning about security at more occasions, than without gamification.…”

“…It is however not clear which aspects of gamification were used in the game. Baxter et al (2015) present a study which utilises elements such as a story, goals for the employee, feedback and progress. The authors acknowledge that their solution lacks "other gamification techniques such as competition based on points and leaderboards, achievement badges or levels, or virtual currencies".…”

Level ofAwareness ofPSU –Bayambang Campus Students towards E–learning Technologies

“…Gamification is the application of game components in supporting the different elements of the learning process (Kulpa, 2017). Some of the popular game components that can be used include animation, rewards, challenges and competitions, avatars and progress (Kostromina & Gnedykh, 2016;Domínguez et al, 2013;Kulpa, 2017;Baxter, Holderness & Wood, 2016). Studies have shown that these components have great effects on student's motivations towards the usage of the e -learning environment (Domínguez et al, 2013).…”

The effect of interactive digital storytelling gamification on microbiology classroom interactions

“…It is believed that the use of gamification in education could motivate and engage students [24], improve learning [25], and increase enjoyment [26]. Christy and Fox [27] used leaderboards for female undergraduate students taking a test and has shown that it could have an effect on the students' academic performance.…”