I Hate CBTs on Cyber Awareness 2024: Here’s How to Make Them Bearable

If you’ve ever had to sit through a Computer-Based Training (CBT) session on Cyber Awareness, you know how frustrating they can be. The 2024 edition is no exception. They can be long, boring, and repetitive. But as much as we might dislike them, they play an important role in keeping us and our organizations safe from cyber threats.

Let’s talk about why these trainings are necessary, why they can be so annoying, and some tips to help you get through them without losing your mind.

Why Cyber Awareness CBTs Are Important

The Cyber Awareness Challenge is designed to influence user behavior by focusing on actions that help mitigate threats and vulnerabilities to Department of Defense (DoD) Information Systems.

This training is updated to be current, engaging, and relevant. The Cyber Awareness Challenge is the basic training that everyone in the Department of Defense (DoD) must complete. It meets the rules and guidelines set by Congress, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and suggestions from the Cyber Workforce Advisory Group (CWAG).

The course teaches about the latest cybersecurity threats and how to protect information and systems at home and at work. It also emphasizes the importance of safeguarding classified information, controlled unclassified information (CUI), and personal information (PII).

Why We Hate Cyber Awareness CBTs

1. Lengthy and Repetitive: These trainings can feel endless, repeating the same points over and over to ensure you understand them. This repetition can make the training feel monotonous.
2. Technical Jargon: Cybersecurity involves a lot of technical terms that can be confusing and hard to remember.
3. Lack of Engagement: Many CBTs are not very interactive, which makes it easy to lose focus and interest.

Tips to Get Through Cyber Awareness CBTs

1. Set Small Goals: Break the training into smaller chunks and set goals for each session.
2. Use Mnemonics: Create simple memory aids to help remember key points. Mnemonics can make technical terms and concepts easier to recall.
3. Find a Study Buddy: If possible, go through the training with a colleague. Discussing the material and quizzing each other can make the process more interactive and less boring.
4. Take Regular Breaks: Don’t try to power through the entire training in one go. Take short breaks to rest your mind, which can help you stay focused.
5. Reward Yourself: Try to reward yourself after completing sections of the training. Whether it’s a snack, a short walk, or a quick chat with a friend, these rewards can provide motivation to keep going.

The Silver Lining

While it’s easy to dislike CBTs on Cyber Awareness, they do have a crucial role. They ensure everyone in your organization knows how to protect against cyber threats, which is vital for maintaining security. By making sure everyone is on the same page, these trainings help prevent security breaches that could have serious consequences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, even though CBTs on Cyber Awareness can be a hassle, they are necessary for keeping us safe from cyber threats. By setting small goals, using mnemonics, finding a study buddy, taking regular breaks, and rewarding yourself, you can get through them more easily. Remember, these trainings are there to protect you and your organization.

So next time you have to complete a Cyber Awareness CBT, take a deep breath, follow these tips, and keep the bigger picture in mind. It might not make the training fun, but it can certainly make it more bearable and worthwhile.