Game Theory

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Data security is an increasing problem in the digital age, but a 2014 report by Cisco indicated that a shortage of ‘security talent’ – people with up-to-date data-security skills – meant the industry, worldwide, had an estimated one million fewer security professionals than it needed.  

In 2016, a survey by Isaca (formerly the Information Systems Audit and Control Association) revealed that 45% of global IT professionals were hiring more cybersecurity professionals this year. Almost all ( 94%) of those hiring said they thought it would be difficult to find skilled candidates. 

This dearth of skills means companies are having to be more flexible in addressing security challenges. Cybersecurity firm Digital Guardian, for example, has proposed a solution – DG Data Defender. This applies game-playing elements to non-gaming situations – to enable ‘average’ (that is, non-data-skilled) employees to act as security guardians. Employees are awarded badges for completing certain tasks; for example, for sending their first email that doesn’t ...