On average, people have 1,824,000 online interactions and make 730 digital transactions yearly. Each event is a potential opportunity for identity theft and hacks without the proper knowledge, information, and protection.
Cybersecurity is vital in safeguarding personal information, financial resources, and critical infrastructure in our interconnected society. Individuals across all sectors and backgrounds must comprehend cybersecurity principles to ensure digital safety and resilience against emerging cyber threats. Awee is at the forefront of innovation in cybersecurity education with its much-needed Lumee platform. Led by co-founders cybersecurity expert Patrick Chouinard and seasoned sales veteran David Monroe, Awee aims to address the pervasive lack of adequate cybersecurity education and practices.
Cyberattacks impact millions worldwide and are caused by human error 95% of the time.
They also cost billions annually, making it clear that traditional e-learning methods have proven inadequate in preparing individuals and businesses to combat evolving threats. Monroe adds, "I will ask people what they've been doing from a training perspective. And they say, 'I'm with a well-known cyber company or some other traditional cybersecurity education offering.' And what I tell them is, 'You've been rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Regardless of how much you've spent on that training, you haven't moved the needle. And the statistics give us clear insight into that. So a new formula and a new approach like Awee is required."
Lümee, the Future of Cybersecurity Awareness
Awee's new approach with the Lümee platform offers an alternative by providing a holistic solution with dynamic continuous learning experiences infused with engaging gamification, entertaining animated content, and an innovative cyberscore system that individuals and organizations can use as motivation and to track their growing expertise and increased security.
Using Human Psychology to Change Behavior
What also makes Awee significantly different from the other solutions is its foundation in human psychology. Chouinard emphasizes, "Changing behavior needs a different approach. We teamed up with the psychology department at Université Laval to better understand human psychology and how we can use it to drive effective learner outcomes. Awee's approach involves immersing users in diverse scenarios through gaming, enabling them to internalize cybersecurity concepts and adopt behavior conducive to cyber resilience. We found that 'serious gaming' is engaging to everyone, young as well as old."
Rewards for Engagement and Retention
Serious gaming includes recognition and rewards. Monroe explains that the extent of digital rewards and recognition through Awee's Lümee platform varies depending on the organization utilizing it. "A large organization will probably have a very significant reward and recognition platform already, so we can easily integrate with those platforms. People can build up a points balance by watching videos, playing games, and drilling down on cybersecurity tips and tricks." Those points are then seamlessly transferred to the reward platform, allowing users to redeem them for various incentives such as golf clubs, dining experiences, or even household items like grills. In contrast, for not-for-profit or government implementations, rewards might be time off or other non-monetary benefits.
Chouinard adds, "The point system is like rewards programs offered by credit card companies or airlines, saying, 'It's the exact same principle in our case. We called it cheese coins, and it's just something funny to add because we're using cats and mice in our characters. But those cheese coins can be exchanged for pretty much anything you want.'" This incentivization strategy enhances user motivation and participation, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Making Cybersecurity Education Accessible
A big part of the Awee solution includes short agnostic animated videos with Tom and Jerry-like characters. The engaging nature of the content appeals to diverse age groups, making cybersecurity education accessible, enjoyable, and, most importantly, retainable over time.
Chouinard shares, "People of all ages enjoy animation. We decided to use cats and mice as main characters. We did a half-day session on which type of characters we should use and which would be internationally understood. We found that it doesn't matter if you're in Saudi Arabia, Australia or Japan; everybody understands cats and mice. We were focused on cultural neutrality and international appeal."
Awee prioritizes user feedback not just on its animated characters but as a cornerstone of its strategy. "We are constantly seeking ways to enhance the user experience," Monroe explains. While the platform has garnered widespread acclaim for its innovative approach, feedback regarding the user interface and content diversity guides Awee's ongoing efforts to refine and expand its offerings.
Awee's Cornerstone: Continuous Learning
One of those refinements is offering an ongoing training cadence that enables organizations to address new threats in real-time. Unlike traditional training methods that are typically conducted annually, Awee's platform facilitates continuous learning, which ensures that users remain abreast of the latest cybersecurity developments. Awee also empowers its customers by allowing them to create and integrate their content into the Lumee platform. This unique feature enables organizations to tailor cybersecurity training to their specific needs and priorities and fosters a sense of ownership and customization that isn't matched by any other solution in the industry.
In the Future: Addressing Unique Cybersecurity Challenges by Industry
Chouinard and Monroe also envision scaling its platform across various sectors and industries and catering to the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by each. "Imagine a cruise line company licensing Lumee, but then creating unique content about potential threats that happen on their boats that don't happen in an office building. And then everybody, when they get signed in and get into their cabin, a short video could be playing on the tv screen to educate them about potential social engineering kinds of threats that happen on a cruise ship."
Accessible on Any Device
Recognizing the importance of accessibility, the Awee team is also developing both web and mobile applications for the Lumee platform. This will ensure that users can engage with cybersecurity training anytime, anywhere, enhancing flexibility and convenience. "While you're on the train to work, you can watch a video or play a game and further protect your identity and financial assets while you are at it."
Awee's Lumee platform represents a 180° change in cybersecurity education. By leveraging gamification, incentives/rewards, culturally agnostic animation, engaging content, and ongoing training, Awee empowers individuals and organizations to navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity with confidence.
As Awee continues to evolve and expand its offerings, it invites stakeholders to join the movement towards a safer digital future, where cybersecurity awareness is not just a necessity but an empowering part of daily life.
Join the Conversation