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SecurityEmpire: Development and Evaluation of a Digital Game to Promote Cybersecurity Education

Wednesday, July 23, 2014 - 3:30pm
Authors: 

Marc Olano, Alan Sherman, Linda Oliva, Ryan Cox, Deborah Firestone, Oliver Kubik, Milind Patil, John Seymour, Isaac Sohn, and Donna Thomas, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Abstract: 

SecurityEmpire is a new multiplayer computer game to teach cybersecurity concepts to high school students. We describe the design and implementation of SecurityEmpire, explain how it teaches security concepts, share preliminary evaluative data from students and teachers, and describe our experiences with developing, fielding, and evaluating this educational game. SecurityEmpire challenges each user to build a green energy company while engaging in sound information assurance practices and avoiding security missteps. Sound information assurance practices include: not clicking on unsafe links, encrypting auction bids, authenticating software downloads, performing integrity checks of system software, keeping antivirus protection up-to-date, and choosing strong passwords. In contrast with traditional teaching methods, educational games hold promise for greater student engagement and learning. We pilot tested an initial version of the game in computer science classes at partner high schools and in an undergraduate gaming class at our university. The preliminary data suggest that the game is engaging and increases awareness of cybersecurity practices.

Marc Olano, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Alan Sherman, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Linda Oliva, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Ryan Cox, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Deborah Firestone, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Oliver Kubik, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Milind Patil, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

John Seymour, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Isaac Sohn, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Donna Thomas, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

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BibTeX
@inproceedings {183453,
author = {Marc Olano and Alan Sherman and Linda Oliva and Ryan Cox and Deborah Firestone and Oliver Kubik and Milind Patil and John Seymour and Isaac Sohn and Donna Thomas},
title = {{SecurityEmpire}: Development and Evaluation of a Digital Game to Promote Cybersecurity Education},
booktitle = {2014 USENIX Summit on Gaming, Games, and Gamification in Security Education (3GSE 14)},
year = {2014},
address = {San Diego, CA},
url = {https://www.usenix.org/conference/3gse14/summit-program/presentation/olano},
publisher = {USENIX Association},
month = aug,
}
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