Cyber Security Training Goes Gaming

The UK cyber threat landscape has escalated and security professionals say attacks have become more sophisticated. High proportions of UK businesses lack staff with the technical, incident response and governance skills needed to manage their cyber security. Skills gaps and the skills shortages continue to affect a large number of organisations.

There needs to be more investment in technical skills and training, within the cyber sector and the wider economy. Now, QA, the UK’s largest tech skills and talent provider is partnering with Circadence Corporation a pioneer of the hands-on, gamified learning platform.

The partnership will allow QA to incorporate hands-on scenario training into its cyber security courses, helping cyber professionals quickly build skills, knowledge and confidence in the cyber security disciplines needed to defend against hackers. With large volumes of UK employees working remotely during the last year, IT departments are faced with a significantly increased security footprint to manage and secure. 

In its latest cyber security research Carbon Black reported that 98% of security professionals thought the volume of attacks they face has increased and 96% said that attacks have become more sophisticated. This continued rise in cyber security threat escalation is combined with a growing skills gap. 

The UK Government Cyber Security Skills Report says that two-thirds (64%) of cyber firms have faced problems with technical cyber security skills gaps, either among existing staff or incoming job applicants. A quarter of respondents said that such skills gaps have prevented them from achieving business goals. “Gamification provides an engaging learning environment that increases knowledge retention rates, allows players to gain instant feedback on tasks completed or areas that need more attention, and provides a clear sense of learning accomplishments. We are delighted to add Project Ares, Ciradence game changing platform to our cybersecurity portfolio.”Richard Beck, Director of Cyber at QA explained. 

The partnership will allow QA to provide learners with a scenario-based, gamified learning tool that drives high levels of engagement through leader boards and badges, elements used widely in the gaming world. 

The platform scenarios also replicate the unpredictability and escalating levels of complexity that cyber attacks can present, allowing the learner to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills in a safe, but realistic environment. “QA will use our Project Ares cyber-range-as-a-service platform to deliver a superior cyber learning experience, irrespective of whether students are learning in the classroom or from home. The partnership will leverage the power of gamified cyber range training to minimise the gap of skilled cyber professionals in the UK,” commented Laurie Webb-DesJardins, Director Global Partnerships at Circadence. 

Cyber security threats, coupled with the increased need for remote learning, are challenging organisation across the world. The pressure to deliver effective user training using the power of gamified cyber range training can only help in addressing the shortage of skilled cyber professionals. 

QA:         Circadence:      CarbonBlack:        GovUK: 

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