Cyberattacks are the eighth risk facing the world during 2023. This is confirmed by the World Economic Forum. It is a problem that impacts those who surf on the web. According to a report by BTR Consulting, 7 out of 10 companies affected by a cybercrime are attacked again and 90% of cybersecurity incidents compromise the leakage of information related to human error.
Given this scenario, the company BTR Consulting developed a new tool to train people through gaming against cybersecurity crimes. It is a saga of 4 video games that, in an interactive way, proposes to educate about the risks that exist in the infinite universe of the Internet. Includes versions for adults and children.
"Human Shield" is our gamification saga to sensitize, raise awareness and train about current digital risks and, above all, to learn how to incorporate safer habits," explains Javier Queimaliños, director of the Knowledge division of BTR Consulting, in dialogue with Clarín.
95% of cybersecurity incidents involving data leakage or loss of privacy have to do with human error. "User behavior exceeds the security of the systems and that is why it is the weakest link in the chain. With Human Shield, we refer to people as the first line of defense," he says.
What does it consist of? It is a series of short and interactive games, with different formats, which proposes multiple challenges, always with messages related to care and digital security.
It is sought that users do not make mistakes and are exposed to crimes.
"This tool works as a digital content, as part of an awareness campaign that seeks to attract users through entertainment," says Queimaliños.
The missions of the games cover topics on phishing through websites and use of email, password management, risks in the use of social networks and the use of public WIFI networks. In addition, it offers recommendations on the use of two-factor authentication and addresses topics such as ransomware and homebanking.
Learning tool
Playful methods and electronic games can be a powerful learning tool to develop greater commitment and encourage the spirit of improvement. We've all played and know people addicted to Candy Crush or Call of Duty.
With Human Shield, the user learns by playing not to fall for scams linked to technological risk. "It has been shown that promoting the game and taking advantage of online competitiveness significantly increases user participation and learning impact," adds Queimaliños.
Gamification can also make training more demanding by using attractive elements in the design. "The improved fixation helps with learning, which is key in the field experience when it comes to improving indicators regarding risk perception and exposure to threats and cybercrime," interprets Queimaliños.
In a playful way the proposal empowers users.
How did the idea of creating this tool come about?
Within the framework of our cybersecurity awareness services, a practice whose main challenge is to gain the attention of the public, in the midst of so much multitasking. Today, considering the option of playing from any device is more attractive than reading a communication by mail. We designed them from the field experience we gained over the past 30 years. In that time we observed and audited scams and hacks, analyzed modus operandi and performed forensic analysis of intrusions with effects such as economic fraud or fraud.
Video game series
Human Shield. Are you ready to test your knowledge and skills? Participants must identify "safe" or "insecure" behaviors in different scenarios: web pages, emails, passwords, social networks, and WIFI networks. In doing so, they will learn techniques and tricks to protect themselves and their businesses from cyberattacks.
Access Denied. I chose well and good luck! Players join a galactic network to protect us from hackers who steal personal information, accounts, and private or sensitive data from their victims. Passwords are the key to our digital lives. Learn how they are violated by hackers, how to reinforce them and how to use the Multiple factor to avoid cyberattack.
The Resistance. Can you overcome obstacles and save the world? The year is 2996 and the world is facing a serious cybersecurity threat. You must help the B2T2R2 robot transport a device to the global control panel to restore sensitive information. Along the way, you'll need to gather the tools that will help you avoid attacks from cybercriminals.
The proposal tries to train in a pleasant way.
Human Shield Kids. Cyberattacks are not exclusive to adults or the corporate sphere: 40% of young people between 12 and 17 years old have been harassed online more than once. That is why it is so important to educate with safe behaviors from childhood. Human Shield Kids, is a video game designed especially for children that addresses topics such as Sexting, Grooming and Cyberbullying among others.
One of the designs designed to raise awareness against virtual scams.
How to play?
All are framed in different contexts such as a work or office situation; A galactic network of hackers who seek to steal passwords and typical situations that minors live in social networks.
To play the 4 Human Shield video games, you only need to provide an email address and complete the challenges that each one proposes. They last approximately 10 minutes.
Each player must pay attention to different common situations experienced in the digital world: decide to enter secure websites, review the contents of posts on social networks, check the level of security of passwords, identify suspicious emails and secure Wi-Fi networks.
In each action, the game explains the reasons why each decision made by the player is or is not correct, and at the end sends a report of successes achieved. For example: "It's a page that looks secure: the link includes "https" and we don't find an excess of ads and pop-ups."
"The measurement of learning is based on metrics and statistics specific to each game that, depending on the decisions made by the participants, generate reports that can be used for subsequent reinforcement actions," says Queimaliños.
The "gamification" initiative to raise awareness about technological risks.
Where to play?
The games are available in web and mobile format. It can be accessed from any device. The page is www.reports.btrconsulting.com/hs-es. There you can scan a QR Code and play.
How to avoid falling for online scams?
From BTR Consulting, they offer some recommendations:
1. Be wary of ads where the rental price is disproportionately low.
2. Be skeptical with publications, in very tourist areas that in times of very high demand remain at very affordable prices.
3. Validate that the person / user who is said to be responsible for the offer is effectively responsible.
4. Verify that the physical location is real and that the data is correct.
5. Do not rely on comments and opinions of other users. They could be fake.
6. Do not pay the total in advance, try to deposit a minimum deposit.
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