Enhancing Cybersecurity Education Through Gameplay
In the digital age, cybersecurity is no longer just a technical concern. With human error often serving as a gateway for hackers, it's essential that everyone, especially the younger generation, understands the importance of cyber awareness. Eva Mendoza, the Chief Information Technology Officer at San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), is leading the charge in Texas, emphasizing the need for educators and staff to grasp the threats and their role in cybersecurity.
Serving over 45,000 students in 70 schools, Mendoza is transforming traditional cybersecurity education at SAISD. Recognizing the power of gamification, she has introduced interactive, engaging games and simulations to teach cybersecurity concepts. One such game, inspired by Google’s Interland, teaches password security and responsible online behavior, making learning about cybersecurity less intimidating and more enjoyable for young students.
Mendoza's approach is rooted in empirical assessment and adaptation. She uses feedback and engagement scores to personalize training pathways, ensuring the framework remains effective across diverse learners. The game includes behaviorally science-backed microlearning, delivering training as personalized, bite-sized lessons with gamified elements. Storytelling and interactive content enhance intrinsic motivation, helping learners internalize security practices.
To increase participation, Mendoza incorporates competitive and collaborative elements. Team leaderboards, awards for achievement, and challenges promote learning as a fun and social activity. She also provides continuous and integrated learning opportunities, embedding gamified training regularly in curricula with support for teachers and policy development.
Mendoza's innovative approach to cybersecurity education has earned her recognition. She was honoured at a Tech & Learning regional leadership summit and received the Innovative Leader Awards. Recognizing the importance of data privacy and protection, Mendoza vets all technology and digital tools used in her district carefully.
Aware of the potential for human error to lead to leaks of sensitive student data, Mendoza organizes tabletop exercises to help staff understand the impact of a ransomware attack on a school district. She also creates a PD version of the game show "Family Feud" with a cybersecurity theme, making learning engaging and memorable.
Mendoza believes that cyber safety is a shared responsibility and that everyone plays a part in it. She encourages a people-focused strategy for a strong cybersecurity posture. Her creative approaches to teaching cybersecurity, including the "Phish Market" poster and PSA-video contest, demonstrate her commitment to making cybersecurity education accessible and engaging for all.
- At San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), the Chief Information Technology Officer, Eva Mendoza, is using digital games and simulations to teach students about cybersecurity, making the learning less daunting and more enjoyable.
- Recognizing that human error can serve as a gateway for hackers, Mendoza has introduced a game inspired by Google’s Interland, which teaches password security and responsible online behavior to young students.
- Mendoza's approach to cybersecurity education is rooted in empirical assessment and adaptation, with personalized training pathways based on feedback and engagement scores.
- To increase participation and promote learning as a social and fun activity, Mendoza incorporates competitive and collaborative elements such as team leaderboards, awards, and challenges.
- Acknowledging the importance of data privacy and protection, Mendoza vets all technology and digital tools used in her district, organizes tabletop exercises to help staff understand the impact of a ransomware attack, and creates engaging learning materials like a cybersecurity-themed "Family Feud" game show.
