When data becomes art: get to know Digital Dados, a cybersecurity hit

With over two decades of history, Digital Dados is a company specialized in data processing solutions and services. Operating in the service of medium and large companies, it covers various market segments through a flexible structure, offering traceable and highly responsive services. Aware of the growing need for digital protection, the company recognizes the importance of maintaining robust security, especially when it comes to the human factor.

Turning the first page 

In the midst of the journey to achieve the ISO 27001 certification, Digital Dados had already tried different approaches to cybersecurity training. However, no matter the efforts, it felt like something was always missing. 

The actions were very punctual, with a huge focus on phishing. Employees were not engaging as expected, and measuring if the content was really transforming into safe behaviour was a challenge. 

This was the scenario in which Paulo Freire, DPO of  Digital Dados, remembered a solution that he already knew: Hacker Rangers. It was time to change the game, and he decided to implement a platform that was more intuitive, friendly and with precise indicators, that would help collect evidence for the certification. 

“I had some experience with other platforms, but I started to notice the difficulties, because I was already familiar with Hacker Rangers… So I began to compare and think, ‘Wow, there’s another platform out there that’s so much easier, much friendlier, and more intuitive…’”

With the help of Juliana Freitas, his loyal right-hand from the Human Resources department, Paulo had decided that more than just training, the goal now was to truly engage — and, in doing so, transform the security culture from the inside out.

The choice for the gamified method arose with the wish to transform the content into something more dynamic and, above all, more interesting for the employees. And their wish came true. 

“We realized that the content became much more engaging with this training format. The badges, rankings, and quizzes created a spirit of healthy competition among the teams, and employees started to truly get involved.”

From implementation to results

Implementing a gamified program started a new phase for Digital Dados. The first presentation happened in person, with a group of fifty employees gathered, from the factory floor to the administrative area. Since the beginning, the company made sure to present each and every detail very carefully, explaining how the dynamic would work and what the users could expect from the program. 

In less than thirty days, the campaign was already running, and the gamified program quickly became the talk of the company’s hallways. Today, in their fifth season, Digital Dados shows, proudly, the amazing accomplishment of 100% employee participation earned on the latest season.

“When the program started, we noticed a strong interest in the prizes. But over time, that changed. People began to show real interest in the subject, and we started to see a transformation in employees’ mindset.”

Paulo and Juliana say that the so-called cyberattitudes, a channel in which employees can inform little cybersecurity action on their day-to-day, also incited curiosity. With a sharp interest in the topic and the possibility of earning more points for best practices, many started to search for information security related topics on their own. 

And, more than learning by themselves, the team started to share knowledge. Today, after five seasons, Digital Dados notices that the rise of the security awareness has transformed into real behaviour change that can be noticed in little daily actions. 

In the last season, Digital Dados recorded over 372 cyberattitudes submitted, an average of 8.3 per user. This is, in practice, the result of a security culture that has been taking root in the company through the commitment of its employees.

The importance of training that addresses the user’s life as a whole

Juliana, from the HR department, tells that, beyond the company’s perimeter, the Digital Dados team wanted the cybersecurity program to also be a part of the users personal lives. 

“We noticed that as employees realized how security knowledge also made a difference in their personal lives, helping them protect their families, engagement in the program increased. That’s why, nowadays, we also focus heavily on providing content that supports their daily lives both inside and outside the company.”

According to Paulo, the team got several reports of employees that got to protect their children, parents and even themselves against digital fraud, all thanks to the content provided by Digital Dados. 

Strategies the Digital Dados way

Just like every good gamified program, Digital Dados developed strategies with their own identity. 

From the beginning, they knew that good communication was key to the program’s success. That's why, one of their first actions was to create a weekly routine of announcements, both digital and physical, always bringing updates on the game, the users performance and, of course, the ranking. And, to make it easier, all communications came with a QR Code, allowing quick access via cellphone. 

To ensure fair play and avoid colleagues sharing answers, the company implemented a foolproof method: in person exams based on learning material available on the platform. Periodically, some employees were drafted to take this mini exam in the office, which helped reinforce learning and keep the engagement with the program’s goals. 

Another highlight from Digital Dados was the creation of extra challenges, based on the released content. Those who accepted the challenge earned additional points that were added to the general ranking. 

Offering their own content is also a hallmark. Security policies and internal rules, which often went unnoticed before, were turned into interactive quizzes (a light and fun way to reinforce essential guidelines!). 

And, when it comes to recognition, Digital Dados is a reference! Since their first season, the company makes sure to recognize those who stand out on the journey: breakfast baskets, monthly and annual prizes, as well as certificates for all of those who complete the learning modules. With full support of their leadership, the campaign has already become part of the company’s culture. 

And what about the ISO 27001 certification?

And, as was to be expected, Digital Dados secured the long-awaited ISO 27001 certification! According to Paulo, the reports and insights generated by Hacker Rangers were key to show concrete evidence on the success of the cybersecurity education program, both in certification audits and client requested audits. 

Next steps 

With much dedication to human factor education in cybersecurity, Digital Dados has also achieved the Hacker Rangers Red Certified certification!

But, just like true Rangers, the journey doesn’t end here, and the search for innovation and improvement continues. The next steps are already underway: to further customize the content, broadening the focus beyond cybersecurity and including subjects such as environmental management, a strategic and essential topic for Digital Dados. And we are in this together!