In a world where cyberattacks have become routine and data represents the most valuable asset for many companies, cyber security is no longer just a technical issue. More than ever, people are at the center as the key success factor. But how can employees be sustainably sensitized to cyber security? How does “I have to” turn into “I want to”?

The answer lies in a holistic awareness campaign—one that not only informs but also motivates, connects, and activates. It relies on targeted communication, knowledge transfer, employee engagement, and cultural integration—leveraging modern formats such as serious business gaming. But what exactly can companies do?

Building a Security Culture Instead of Isolated Measures

Cyber security awareness should not be viewed as a one-off training exercise but as part of the corporate culture. Only when security awareness is deeply rooted in the mindset and actions of all employees can risks be effectively reduced. It’s not just about imparting knowledge, but about fostering a culture of security built on responsibility and identification.

Culture-shaping elements play a vital role here. Employees should know their company’s values and understand that these are protected by secure behavior in the digital space. When individuals recognize that their contribution matters and is valued, a sense of responsibility grows. To achieve this, more is needed than mandatory training—it requires emotional involvement, visible rituals, and engaging formats.

Communication as a Driver of Engagement

A well-planned communication strategy forms the backbone of every awareness campaign. It must be clear, consistent, and creative. Only then can attention be captured and interest sustained in the long term. Multiple channels are useful for reaching different target groups: from intranet articles and informative emails to posters, flyers, and video messages.

Personal formats are particularly effective—such as roadshows, information booths, or lunch & learn sessions. These create opportunities for exchange and direct questions, demonstrating that security is not an abstract topic but one that affects everyone in concrete ways. Introducing a visible symbol, logo, or even a campaign “hero” can also strengthen identification and give the initiative a recognizable face.

Psychological Factors: Motivation from Within

Perhaps the most critical success factor is employees’ intrinsic motivation. Only those who act securely out of their own conviction will contribute sustainably to the security culture. To encourage this, companies should understand and leverage psychological mechanisms:

• Purpose: Employees want to understand why their actions matter. Stories and real-life examples from within the company create context and make risks tangible.

• Social Role Models: When leaders and colleagues lead by example, it inspires others. Role models help employees recognize and adopt ideal behaviors. Even the executive board can act as a role model and key visual—perhaps depicted together with employees in a “human firewall,” linking arms in a symbolic gesture of unity.

• Recognition and Feedback: Positive reinforcement through appreciation and visible successes motivates employees. Those who engage should feel that their efforts are noticed.

Serious Business Gaming: Learning with Impact

One of the most effective tools for activation and emotional engagement is serious business gaming. These interactive learning formats simulate real security threats. Participants solve tasks in teams, make decisions, and experience the consequences—all within a safe, controlled environment.

The advantage: learning becomes an experience. Emotions such as curiosity, ambition, and team spirit amplify the learning effect. Complex topics like social engineering, phishing, or password security are not taught in a dry manner but made tangible through practice.

Serious games not only deepen understanding of IT risks but also strengthen teamwork and shared responsibility. They make security accessible—and even exciting. Employees experience themselves as active contributors to the security culture rather than passive recipients of rules.

Training, Information, and Awareness in Harmony

Alongside serious games, traditional training remains an important component of any campaign. The key is to combine formats effectively, such as:

• Face-to-face training, offering space for discussion and personal questions.

• Web-based training (WBTs), enabling flexible, self-directed learning.

• VR experiences, creating immersive scenarios with strong emotional impact.

  
  

These trainings should be tailored to specific audiences—differently designed for executives than for IT administrators, for instance. They should also be integrated into existing training systems to ensure continuity.

At the same time, information and awareness formats play a major role. These can be deployed spontaneously, long-term, or permanently—such as through regular updates on new threats, success stories, or case studies shared via the intranet.

Encouraging Participation and Enabling Involvement

A campaign can only succeed if employees feel included. Simply distributing information is not enough—people want to be asked, heard, and involved. Companies can achieve this through:

• Ambassador programs, where engaged employees act as multipliers.

• Idea competitions or challenges, fostering creativity and ownership.

• Feedback opportunities, such as anonymous surveys or dialogue formats.

This creates a sense of co-creation. With every active contribution, employees’ intrinsic motivation to take responsibility grows.

Conclusion: Security Starts with People

A successful cyber security awareness campaign turns rules into conviction, knowledge into attitude, and employees into co-creators. It leverages creative formats, considers psychological drivers, and anchors security within corporate culture.

Serious business gaming plays a pivotal role: it proves that security does not have to be boring or instructive—but can be interactive, engaging, and impactful. When employees not only learn but truly experience how important their behavior is, real awareness emerges. And with it, the foundation for a secure digital future.