Revolutionizing Cybersecurity Training: An Empirical Study on the Relationship Between Traditional Methods and Interest in Virtual Reality Modules

Effective training is essential to protect the cybersecurity of information systems. However, traditional cybersecurity training faces difficulties in terms of effectiveness, engagement, interactivity, and entertainment. Virtual reality (VR) cybersecurity training modules may provide an opportunity to alleviate the issues found in traditional cybersecurity training methods in their ability to provide effective, engaging, interactive, and entertaining training modules. This study aims to explore the relationship between traditional cybersecurity training methods and interest in VR training modules. In a survey of four hundred participants, a relationship exists for certain traditional cybersecurity training forms that yield a statistical significance between traditional cybersecurity training and interest in VR training. The perceived effectiveness, engagement, interactivity, and entertainment of traditional cybersecurity training influence interest in VR training modules for users who have undergone certain forms of traditional and multiple forms of cybersecurity training. The number of hours of traditional training undergone also affects an interest in VR training for users that underwent certain traditional training formats and multiple forms of traditional training. These results uncover a potential gap in the cybersecurity training industry, where VR could address shortcomings in traditional methods. Moreover, this study suggests that organizations heavily invested in traditional cybersecurity training may be prime candidates for VR adoption. This research lays the groundwork for future investigations into the efficacy and acceptance of VR in cybersecurity education, offering valuable insights for training program designers and organizational decision-makers considering innovative approaches to cybersecurity preparedness.