Evolvable Microgame for Information Assurance Training (EMIAT)

With the central role that computers and networks play in the DoDs network-centric environment, all warfighters must have the knowledge and awareness of how information assurance (IA) threats and exploits can significantly degrade operational readiness. While IA threats have been recognized for years by the information technology community, most warfighters do not fully understand how reckless computer/network use can result in vulnerabilities to national security. An effective and engaging training approach is needed to educate warfighters about potential exploits and tools that can be used to protect against these insidious threats. Developing an effective training approach is challenging due to the evolving nature of cyber threats, as determined adversaries constantly update old approaches or develop new and different exploitation techniques. To address this training need, we propose to design and demonstrate the feasibility of an Evolvable Microgame for Information Assurance Training (EMIAT) using a framework for the development, testing, and deployment of extensible game-based training. This effort will consist of three elements: 1) a domain analysis targeted at identifying both static and dynamic IA training needs; 2) design and prototyping of an initial EMIAT microgame for proof-of-concept; and 3) design of a framework for developing, deploying, and adapting EMIAT microgames. BENEFIT: Individual EMIAT games will provide an immediate and tangible benefit to warfighters throughout the DoD by educating them about IA threats and tools. This benefit can also be provided to a wide range of large interconnected enterprises with staff using networked computers in their daily business activities. Additionally, the EMIAT framework provides a web-enabled training platform for authoring and delivering engaging and effective evolvable microgames. Commercial applications of this framework can include corporate training, education, and other applications of serious games.