CyberQuest: Interactive Cybersecurity Risk Management Training

CyberQuest is an immersive board game that transforms abstract cybersecurity concepts into tangible, strategic decision-making. In just 60 minutes, players collaborate to protect a fictional mid-sized company from evolving cyber threats, making this an ideal training tool for both technical and non-technical professionals.

Game Overview

Players manage a fictional technology manufacturer with 150 employees that produces IoT equipment for utilities in the water, wind, and electricity sectors. With interconnected OT and IT systems, legacy production infrastructure, and ambitious growth plans, the company faces a complex threat landscape that mirrors real-world challenges.

The game unfolds across two distinct rounds, each representing a different phase in the company’s evolution:

Round 1: Building Basic Security Foundations

  • The company operates primarily in domestic markets
  • Teams assess initial security risks and vulnerabilities
  • Players implement fundamental security controls with limited resources
  • Focus on establishing essential security practices and awareness

Round 2: Global Expansion Challenges

  • The company has expanded internationally with new market opportunities
  • Basic security measures are in place, but the threat landscape has evolved
  • Teams must adapt their security strategy to address sophisticated global threats
  • Players balance growth objectives with enhanced security requirements

Over these simulated time periods, teams of 6-7 players must:

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Assess and prioritize cybersecurity risks

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Allocate limited resources to implement appropriate mitigations

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Balance business objectives with security requirements

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Adapt to attacks and measure the effectiveness of their defense strategy

The game can be customized to reflect the specific risks and threats of any company or industry sector.

Strategic Value

CyberQuest serves as both a training tool and a catalyst for organizational change:

For Technical Teams:

  • Contextualizes day-to-day security operations within broader business risk frameworks
  • Demonstrates the real-world impact of technical decisions on business outcomes

For Management:

  • Builds foundational risk management skills without requiring technical expertise
  • Creates intuitive understanding of cybersecurity investments and their ROI

For Cross-Functional Teams:

  • Establishes a common vocabulary between technical and business stakeholders
  • Breaks down silos between GRC (Governance, Risk, Compliance) and IT/Security Operations

The Power of Simulation-Based Learning

CyberQuest leverages the proven effectiveness of game-based learning methods to deliver superior results compared to traditional training approaches:

Experimental Learning

Players don’t just hear about cybersecurity concepts—they experience the consequences of their decisions in a safe environment, creating deeper neural pathways for retention.

Emotional Engagement

The competitive and collaborative elements trigger emotional responses that dramatically increase information retention and recall compared to passive learning methods.

Practical Application

Abstract security concepts become tangible when players physically allocate resources and witness the direct outcomes of their strategic choices.

Risk-Free Failure

Players can experience the consequences of poor security decisions without real-world repercussions, making failure a powerful teacher rather than a costly mistake.

Social Learning

The collaborative nature encourages knowledge sharing between participants with varied expertise, creating organic mentoring opportunities.

Immediate Feedback

Unlike traditional training where feedback may come weeks later, players see the results of their decisions within minutes, reinforcing effective practices.

Workshop Integration

The two-hour workshop is designed to maximize the learning impact:

1.

Brief Introduction: Quick overview of key cybersecurity and risk concepts

2.

CyberQuest Game Session:

  • Round 1: Establishing basic security in a domestic market
  • Round 2: Adapting security for global expansion challenges

3.

Guided Reflection: Facilitator helps connect game experiences to real-world challenges

Game Components

🃏 The physical game includes a professionally designed board, threat and attack cards, mitigation options, resource tokens, and vulnerability markers representing people, process, and technology dimensions.

Languages & Customization

🌍 Both the game and workshop are available in Danish and English.

🛠️ Company and threats can easily be customized. Get in touch to hear more!

CyberQuest Applications

This workshop format is ideal for:

  • Executive team cybersecurity awareness
  • Cross-functional team building
  • Security culture development
  • Introduction to risk-based security thinking
  • Demonstrating security’s relationship to business objectives

For organizations seeking NIS2 compliance, an extended half-day workshop format is also available that includes additional elements specifically addressing regulatory requirements.