HP today announced the launch of its first virtual serious game on IT security, which is designed to educate small businesses and entrepreneurs on the best ways to protect their data and intellectual assets from unwanted intrusion.
“Accelerate Security” is a fun, practical way to raise awareness about everyday security threats and how best to tackle them. The game covers a range of common security issues such as virus attacks, identity theft and data back-up, to help small business and small office (SBSO) users make security and protection part of their ongoing business activities.
Players assume the role of Nicole Fernandez, the owner of a small events management company with a growing client base. Players must help Nicole launch a successful fashion show and win a new client, whilst avoiding any security threats. Over two game days with four 10 minute scenes each, players must tackle a range of business tasks and purchase relevant security software, such as firewalls and anti-virus products.
HP worked with the Micro-Enterprise Acceleration Institute (MEA-I), an international, non-profit organization that facilitates access and knowledge of IT among micro-enterprises, to develop the game after customer surveys among SBSOs highlighted a lack of awareness and understanding of how to effectively secure their information.
“Many small businesses today have neither the time nor the money to spend on in-house IT personnel, expensive consultants or heavy security infrastructures” said Charl Snyman, vice president and general manager, Commercial Products, Personal Systems Group, HP EMEA. “‘Accelerate Security’ is a quick, easy and entertaining way for them to educate themselves on the need for secure business operations.”
A recent report by independent market research company MSI for McAfee, Inc., “Does Size Matter: The Security Challenge of the SMB” revealed that small businesses fail to allocate an appropriate amount of time and resources to security and mistakenly believe themselves to be too small to pose a target for cybercriminals.
“We work with many small business owners and users who are aware that security breaches can damage their finances, competitiveness and reputation but are unsure how to protect either themselves, their employees or their customers,” said Didier Philippe, President, Micro-Enterprise Acceleration Institute (MEA-I). “‘Accelerate Security’ helps them integrate basic security procedures and products into their day-to-day activities.”
“Accelerate Security” is available free of charge at http://game.mea-i.org or www.knowledge-city.net. The game is available immediately in English, with plans for other languages, including French, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, to follow by the first quarter of 2009.
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