Municipality of Tytsjerksteradiel

The challenge

Creating cybersecurity awareness across a municipal organization where employees have vastly different roles and levels of computer proficiency. From desk based administrative staff to field workers who rarely use computers, we needed an approach that would resonate across this diversity. The challenge was making cybersecurity relevant and accessible for everyone while acknowledging that not all employees work with digital systems daily. We wanted to strengthen our security culture and launch greater organizational attention to this critical topic in a way that felt inclusive rather than alienating.

The experience

The game was received with overwhelming enthusiasm, with almost exclusively positive reactions across the organization. Employees found it both enjoyable and educational, showing high levels of engagement and involvement. What stood out was the interactive and practical approach that made abstract cyber threats suddenly concrete and understandable. The competitive element added significant motivation, making the experience more effective while fostering healthy team dynamics.

The clarity with which cyber threats were conveyed resonated strongly with participants, who could immediately see how scenarios related to their municipal work. We did notice that colleagues who don’t frequently work with computers sometimes found it challenging and were more inclined to disengage. However, for the vast majority of participants, the game successfully created the kind of engaged learning experience that traditional training rarely achieves. The high participation and positive feedback demonstrated that we had found the right starting point for building stronger cybersecurity awareness.

The outcome

The game served as an excellent foundation for bringing more attention to cybersecurity throughout our municipality. Employees report thinking differently about their passwords and paying increased attention to suspicious email senders. The increased awareness of cybersecurity risks and strengthened security culture are noticeable in daily operations. Colleagues now understand how quickly a simple mistake can lead to serious consequences, creating lasting behavioral change that protects municipal data and systems. The game successfully launched the cultural shift we needed around digital security.