In many companies, a cybersecurity online course is only used as a starting point – similar to data protection, fire protection or compliance. It often ends after onboarding, the result? Security thinking fizzles out. We think so: Information security is one of the most central topics of our time – a well thought-out online curriculum over 3-4 years is absolutely essential.

Companies usually have a certain turnover – let’s take every four years on average, for example. A curriculum must therefore cover precisely this period: initial module for onboarding, refresher in the following year, playful and motivating gamification in the third year, final consolidation in the fourth year. This ensures that a cybersecurity online course remains relevant throughout.

This article is aimed specifically at HR managers and those responsible for information security at large companies. After all, it is up to them to plan and implement a curriculum – with efficient use of resources and sustainable protection for all employees.

Our approach: not a rigid e-learning kit, but an adaptive system that is tailored to the employee group and prior knowledge. Individual roles (such as IT or HR) receive different course lengths depending on their needs – for example 15 minutes for IT professionals, 40 minutes for newcomers in HR. In this way, everyone is supported individually – and the learning time is only as long as necessary.

We use learning-adaptive systems that test the level of knowledge: those who already know are given less theory; those who are unsure are given more targeted support. This saves time and increases motivation to learn. And even refresher modules lasting less than 20 minutes are effective if they build on previous knowledge.

Generic courses usually contain a huge pool of theory – outdated, unwieldy and inflexible. They are often reminiscent of outdated stories: phone booth analogies, CD-ROM metaphors or outdated tools. This is off-putting in modern working environments – and penalizes companies with wasted time and low relevance.

Our approach:

• Initial modules with real-time scenarios, decision points and practical examples.
• Refresher based on previous knowledge – short and focused.
• Gamification module for motivation and repetition.
• Curriculum refresher in the fourth year for consolidation.

With learning-adaptive e-learning technologies, you automatically notice what someone can already do – and the course adapts accordingly. This keeps the curriculum lean, efficient and targeted within four years.

Time saving
through adaptive content – no channeled repetition.

Motivation & relevance
through variety and gamification.

Efficiency
Focus on really necessary content, no unnecessary modules.

Scaling
for large companies with high fluctuation.

Cost-benefit optimization
Less idle time, more targeted learning.

A classic cybersecurity online course is not enough – it must be embedded in a curriculum that is geared towards the company, staff turnover and employees’ prior knowledge. This is the only way to create sustainable awareness, real action competence and long-term protection. Skillbest offers precisely this concept – adaptive, modular, digital and efficient.