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7 fun ways to engage your colleagues in information security

06 Jan

1. The shock factor

Sometimes all it takes is a wake-up call. Many employees think they’re immune to cyberattacks and assume they can avoid information security risks with ease. The reality? It can happen to anyone.

Make information security relatable and personal by conducting a social engineering assessment in your organisation. In this type of assessment, an external security expert will safely "infiltrate" your organisation to identify weaknesses and risks. Present the findings to your team, and they’ll quickly realise (and often be shocked by) how vulnerable they might be.

2. Social pressure

Cybercriminals often use social pressure to manipulate employees into sharing sensitive information. Why not flip the script and use the same technique to encourage safe behaviour instead? Sometimes, requiring participation is the first step—but you can make it a positive experience:

• Leverage social proof: Share stories of colleagues who have contributed to a safer workplace. Or, if they’re comfortable with it, share examples of colleagues who fell for phishing simulations—it can be a great learning opportunity.
• Foster peer support: Encourage colleagues to help each other, like reminding one another to lock their screens when leaving their desks. This builds a sense of teamwork and shared responsibility.
• Give positive feedback: Actively acknowledge safe behaviour and give public recognition for it. Mention it during meetings or over lunch—this inspires others to follow suit.

3. Introduce a rewards system

Take positive feedback to the next level with a rewards system for your security awareness campaign. People love to be rewarded for good behaviour, so come up with a prize that truly resonates with your team. Perhaps they’d appreciate cake, a fun team acitvity, or personalised gifts.

For a more symbolic option, consider creating a travelling trophy for the "Safest Employee of the Month." Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that will genuinely excite and motivate your colleagues.

4. Add a competitive edge

Information security is serious business—but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Gamify the learning process to make it more engaging. At Awaretrain, we offer interactive training modules with challenges and games to grab your colleagues' attention.

Want to go a step further? Create teams across departments and set up a scoreboard. Who will score the highest this month?

5. Fishing with a twist

Casting a bait and waiting for a bite—except in this case, it’s phishing. In line with the shock factor, phishing simulations are another effective way to raise awareness. Periodic simulations keep your organisation on its toes.

Be sure to follow up with an informative page that helps employees recognise phishing attempts in the future. 

6. Keep It light

Okay, it may sound cheesy, but humour goes a long way in keeping the topic approachable. And that’s exactly what you need to engage your colleagues. Long, technical explanations will bore them, but jokes or lighthearted anecdotes can grab their attention and keep them interested.

7. Lead by example

As a leader, your actions play a crucial role in fostering a strong security awareness culture. When management takes security awareness seriously, employees are more likely to follow suit.

For example, have the leadership team record a video explaining the importance of information security and everyone’s role in it. To make it even more engaging, invite a guest speaker—someone who specialises in motivating teams and inspiring leadership in this area.

Engage your colleagues with Awaretrain

Security awareness training

Looking to train all your colleagues in security awareness in a fun and accessible way? With Awaretrain, you can easily create customised training programmes that keep your organisation alert year-round. From quick "security snacks" to engaging challenges, your colleagues will learn about the latest threats and risks in information security. Sign up for a free trial and experience it for yourself.

Expert advice

Need help kickstarting your security awareness campaign? Our experts are here to help. With over 10 years of hands-on experience, we’ll guide you in setting up the Awaretrain platform for maximum impact.

Information security with impact

From interactive knowledge sessions to social engineering assessments, we’re your go-to partner for making a real impact. At Awaretrain, we believe security awareness goes beyond installing a firewall or strengthening passwords. We’re committed to creating an open and safe work culture where secure online behaviour isn’t the exception but the standard.