How Keepnet Creates Security Awareness Training Based on Behavioral Science

Keepnet's cybersecurity awareness training leverages behavioral science and psychology to address human error in cybersecurity, aligning employee decisions with real-life threat responses. Our training programs are meticulously designed to align with how people think, make decisions, and respond to threats in real-life scenarios. By incorporating data-driven methodologies, cognitive psychology, and engaging storytelling, we ensure employees not only understand security risks but also adopt behaviors that help them avoid costly mistakes.

Here’s a breakdown of how we create impactful training content using scientific methodologies and storytelling techniques:

Data collection and analysis

At the heart of Keepnet’s cyber security awareness training is comprehensive data analysis. To create relevant and effective training content, Keepnet continuously tracks the latest cybersecurity threats, reviews scientific literature, and analyzes reliable sources. This ensures that our training reflects the most current cybersecurity landscape, making it more relatable and actionable for employees. By staying on top of the latest trends in phishing, vishing, and other threats, Keepnet crafts content that prepares employees for real-world challenges.

Behavioral science and psychology

We recognize that human errors in cybersecurity are often rooted in predictable patterns of human behavior. Keepnet designs its training content with various psychological factors in mind to help employees make better decisions under pressure. Here are some of the key factors we consider:

• Cognitive biases: Cognitive biases influence how people make decisions, often leading them to take mental shortcuts. For instance, confirmation bias causes individuals to focus on information that confirms their existing beliefs. Keepnet’s training addresses these biases by highlighting the risks of relying on preconceived notions, helping employees become more aware of their own decision-making processes.
• Social proof: People tend to mimic the behavior of others, which attackers exploit through social engineering attacks like vishing or quishing. By educating employees on how these manipulations work, Keepnet raises awareness and helps individuals resist following dangerous trends or reacting to what others do without verification.
• Fear and panic: Under stress, people often make hasty decisions. Cyber attackers often take advantage of this by creating urgency in phishing emails or ransomware attacks. Keepnet teaches employees how to stay calm in such situations and focus on making rational decisions, preventing rash actions that could compromise security.
• Decision fatigue: After making numerous decisions throughout the day, people can become mentally exhausted, increasing the likelihood of mistakes. Keepnet’s training helps employees recognize decision fatigue and stay alert during critical decision-making moments, particularly when dealing with sensitive information or potential threats.

Scenario-based learning and storytelling

To enhance engagement, Keepnet employs scenario-based learning and uses storytelling techniques inspired by real-world events. These scenarios help employees immerse themselves in situations they might face, making the training practical and relatable. We use different storytelling styles to maintain attention and improve retention:

• Maupassant format: This technique involves crafting stories with unexpected endings, keeping employees engaged until the final moment. It mirrors the unpredictability of cybersecurity incidents, helping employees understand that threats can escalate in surprising ways.
• Chekhov format: In this approach, we highlight internal conflicts or dilemmas faced by characters, helping employees empathize with the situations. By making the stories more human, Keepnet encourages employees to put themselves in the shoes of those affected by security breaches.
• Kafkaesque narratives: For more complex training topics, Keepnet uses metaphorical and abstract stories that encourage employees to think critically. This method helps employees grasp nuanced cybersecurity issues from different perspectives.

Security Nudges

Keepnet use scientifically evaluated influence techniques to encourage behavior change and positive security decisions. Keepnet Labs incorporates these techniques as a core part of its cybersecurity awareness training programs to reduce human error and enhance security resilience. Here’s how scientifically evaluated methods are integrated into Keepnet’s security nudges:

• Behavioral Science Foundation: Security nudges are grounded in behavioral science principles, leveraging well-researched psychological factors like cognitive biases, social proof, and decision fatigue. These nudges are carefully designed to steer employees toward secure actions without being intrusive or coercive.
• Contextual Relevance: The nudges are embedded into realistic scenarios, ensuring employees encounter them in contexts where they naturally apply. This increases the likelihood of the desired behavior being adopted during real-world cyber threat encounters.
• Cognitive Bias Awareness: Techniques like addressing confirmation bias and overconfidence bias help employees recognize their own vulnerabilities and make more informed security decisions.
• Positive Reinforcement: Keepnet’s training programs provide immediate feedback and rewards for correct actions, reinforcing positive behaviors and encouraging their repetition in future situations.
• Micro-Learning Integration: Nudges are designed as part of micro-learning content, such as 90-second video lessons, to make the message impactful and memorable while respecting employees' time constraints.

Proven Nudge Techniques:

• Social Proof: Demonstrates how peers successfully avoid phishing attempts, encouraging employees to emulate similar behaviors.
• Fear Appeals with Solutions: Nudges include warnings about risks, paired with clear steps to mitigate them, avoiding panic and fostering rational decision-making.
• Anchoring Effect: Uses baseline comparisons to emphasize the importance of secure actions (e.g., showing how a small mistake can lead to significant consequences).

By integrating these scientifically validated influence techniques, Keepnet ensures that its security nudges are not only impactful but also align with employees’ cognitive processes, leading to lasting behavioral change and stronger organizational defenses.

Keepnet Security Awareness Education Incorporated into Nudge Campaigns for a Blended Experience

Security awareness education can be effectively incorporated into nudge campaigns to create a blended experience that enhances learning and behavior change. By combining the educational aspects of security awareness training with the subtle influence techniques of nudges, organizations can achieve greater engagement and behavioral impact. Here’s how:

1. Embedding Educational Content into Nudges

• Microlearning Modules: Short, engaging lessons on cybersecurity topics can be delivered alongside nudges. For example, a pop-up reminder about checking email sender details can link to a 90-second video on phishing tactics.
• Scenario-Based Learning: Nudges can present real-world scenarios with actionable advice. For instance, a nudge might simulate a phishing attempt and provide immediate feedback if the user responds incorrectly.

2. Reinforcing Key Lessons Through Repetition

• Timely Interventions: Nudges can be strategically timed to appear after employees complete training modules, reinforcing key concepts when employees are likely to apply them.
• Follow-Up Nudges: After a security awareness session, nudges can serve as reminders of the key takeaways, ensuring that lessons are retained and applied over time.

3. Integrating Behavioral Insights

• Addressing Cognitive Biases: Nudges can reinforce awareness training by directly addressing biases like overconfidence or decision fatigue. For example, a reminder to pause and verify email authenticity addresses the tendency to act on impulse.
• Social Proof: Nudges can highlight how peers are adopting secure behaviors, such as reporting suspicious emails, to encourage similar actions.

4. Gamification and Rewards

• Positive Reinforcement: Nudges can acknowledge and reward secure behavior, such as successfully identifying a phishing attempt, creating a gamified experience that motivates users.
• Challenges and Competitions: Nudges can invite employees to participate in challenges, like spotting security risks in simulated scenarios, blending education with interactive engagement.

5. Continuous Feedback Loop

• Real-Time Feedback: Nudges provide immediate feedback during decision-making moments, reinforcing what employees learned in training.
• Adaptive Content: Based on employees' responses to nudges, tailored educational content can be suggested, addressing individual weaknesses.

By blending security awareness education with nudge campaigns, organizations can create a comprehensive strategy that builds knowledge, encourages secure behavior, and strengthens the overall cybersecurity culture.

Storytelling techniques used in security awareness training

Our training also incorporates several storytelling techniques to ensure the content resonates with employees:

• Descriptive narration: Detailed descriptions of environments and situations help employees visualize the scenarios, making the learning experience more immersive.
• Chronological narration: By presenting events in a logical, chronological order, Keepnet builds tension and creates a dynamic flow, keeping employees engaged throughout the training.
• Explanatory narration: We provide thorough explanations of the background and causes of security incidents, giving employees a deep understanding of cybersecurity threats and how they evolve.
• Argumentative narration: We present multiple viewpoints on security issues, encouraging employees to think critically and develop problem-solving skills in complex situations.

Feedback and continuous improvement

At Keepnet, we believe that continuous feedback is essential to maintaining effective cybersecurity training. We actively collect input from participants to refine and update our content. This feedback loop ensures that Keepnet’s training programs remain relevant and impactful, always adapting to new cyber threats and employee learning needs.

By leveraging these scientific methodologies, psychological insights, and powerful storytelling techniques, Keepnet delivers the most effective cybersecurity awareness training for employees and phishing simulations. This approach not only enhances cybersecurity awareness programs but also prepares employees to face cyber threats with confidence and sound decision-making.

Short, effective, and engaging security awareness video content

Keepnet understands that time is a premium in corporate environments, and taking employees away from their daily workflow can be disruptive. That’s why Keepnet’s cybersecurity awareness training content is delivered through 90-second videos designed to fit seamlessly into your team’s schedule. These bite-sized, yet powerful lessons present complex cybersecurity concepts in simple, digestible formats, making it easier for employees to access and apply this knowledge.

Moreover, these videos focus on key security behaviors to strengthen your organization’s defense mechanisms, targeting three main areas:

• Security awareness: Employees become more vigilant toward potential cybersecurity threats in their everyday tasks.
• Secure decision-making: They learn how to assess situations quickly and make informed decisions when facing threats.
• Compliance and discipline: There’s an increased adherence to your company’s security policies.

For a firsthand look at our innovative training methods, check out Keepnet’s YouTube playlist, where you can experience the quality and effectiveness of our training content.

Train your workforce using Keepnet’s data-driven and scientifically-backed training modules to reduce human errors and enhance your organization's cybersecurity resilience.