Cybersecurity Education Using Gamification: Systematic Literature Review

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Abu-Amara, F., Almansoori, R., Alharbi, S., Alharbi, M., & Alshehhi, A. (2021). A novel SETA-based gamification framework to raise cybersecurity awareness. International Journal of Information Technology (Singapore), 13(6), 2371–2380. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41870-021-00760-5
Abu-Amara, F., Hosani, R. Al, Tamimi, H. Al, & Hamdi, B. Al. (2024). Spreading cybersecurity awareness via gamification: zero-day game. International Journal of Information Technology (Singapore), 16(5), 2945–2953. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41870-024-01810-4
Ahmed, A. A., Elmi, A. H., Abdullahi, A., & Ahmed, A. Y. (2023). Cybersecurity awareness among university students in Mogadishu: a comparative study. Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 32(3), 1580–1588. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijeecs.v32.i3.pp1580-1588
Al-Karaki, J. N., Itradat, A., & Mekonen, S. (2023). Immersive Cybersecurity Teaching/Training Using Gamification on the Metaverse: A Hands-On Case Study. In 2023 IEEE International Conference on Dependable, Autonomic and Secure Computing, International Conference on Pervasive Intelligence and Computing, International Conference on Cloud and Big Data Computing, International Conference on Cyber Science and Tec (pp. 101–108). https://doi.org/10.1109/DASC/PiCom/CBDCom/Cy59711.2023.10361297
Alothman, B., Al-Khulifa, K., Al-Shammari, R., Joumaa, C., & Khan, M. (2023). Towards Enhancing Cyber Security Awareness Using Gamification Escape Room. International Conference on Ubiquitous and Future Networks, ICUFN, 2023-July, 828–830. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICUFN57995.2023.10199673
Alshammari, F. Z., & Eyadat, W. M. (n.d.). Social Media Users and Cybersecurity Awareness: An International Perspective. In International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change. www.ijicc.net (Vol. 16, Issue 1). www.ijicc.net
Alsobeh, A. M. R., Alazzam, I., Shatnawi, A. M. J., & Khasawneh, I. (2023). Cybersecurity awareness factors among adolescents in Jordan: Mediation effect of cyber scale and personal factors. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.30935/ojcmt/12942
Alyami, A., Sammon, D., Neville, K., & Mahony, C. (2024). Critical success factors for Security Education, Training and Awareness (SETA) programme effectiveness: an empirical comparison of practitioner perspectives. Information and Computer Security, 32(1), 53–73. https://doi.org/10.1108/ICS-08-2022-0133
Andreasson, A., Artman, H., Brynielsson, J., & Franke, U. (2024). Cybersecurity work at Swedish administrative authorities: taking action or waiting for approval. Cognition, Technology and Work. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-024-00779-1
Aparicio, M., Oliveira, T., Bacao, F., & Painho, M. (2019). Gamification: A key determinant of massive open online course (MOOC) success. Information and Management, 56(1), 39–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2018.06.003
Behl, A., Jayawardena, N., Pereira, V., Islam, N., Giudice, M. Del, & Choudrie, J. (2022). Gamification and e-learning for young learners: A systematic literature review, bibliometric analysis, and future research agenda. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121445
Chen, C. M., Ming-Chaun, L., & Kuo, C. P. (2023). A game-based learning system based on octalysis gamification framework to promote employees’ Japanese learning. Computers and Education, 205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2023.104899
Cheng, V. W. S., Davenport, T., Johnson, D., Vella, K., & Hickie, I. B. (2019). Gamification in apps and technologies for improving mental health and well-being: Systematic review. JMIR Mental Health, 6(6). https://doi.org/10.2196/13717
Erendor, M. E., & Yildirim, M. (2022). Cybersecurity Awareness in Online Education: A Case Study Analysis. IEEE Access, 10, 52319–52335. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3171829
Garcia-Iruela, M., & Hijon-Neira, R. (2020). What Perception Do Students Have about the Gamification Elements? IEEE Access, 8, 134386–134392. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3011222
Hassan, M. A., Habiba, U., Majeed, F., & Shoaib, M. (2021). Adaptive gamification in e-learning based on students’ learning styles. Interactive Learning Environments, 29(4), 545–565. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2019.1588745
Haziq, A., Hanafi, A., Rokman, H., Dahaqin Ibrahim, A., Ibrahim, Z.-A., Zawawi, N. A., & Rahim, F. A. (2021). A Scenario CTF-Based Approach in Cybersecurity Education for Secondary School Students 1. In Journal of Computer Science and Information Technology (eJCSIT) (Vol. 7, Issue 1).
Herman, H., Jaya Kumar, Y., Yong Wee, S., & Kumar Perhakaran, V. (2024). A Systematic Review on Deep Learning Model in Computer-aided Diagnosis for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury. Current Medical Imaging Reviews, 20. https://doi.org/10.2174/0115734056295157240418043624
Hulaj, A., & Dreshaj, A. (2023). The impact of educational training on improving the vigilance of public officials against cyber-attacks. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.30935/ojcmt/13784
Jin, G., Tu, M., Kim, T. H., Heffron, J., & White, J. (2018). Game based cybersecurity training for High School Students. SIGCSE 2018 - Proceedings of the 49th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, 2018-Janua, 68–73. https://doi.org/10.1145/3159450.3159591
Jing, K. L., Yatim, M. H. M., & Seng, W. Y. (2024). A Preliminary Concept on Cybersecurity Skill Training Framework for a Capture-the-Flag Game using 5-Step Gamification Approach. The International Journal of Multimedia & Its Applications, 16(4), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.5121/ijma.2024.16402
Kalogiannakis, M., Papadakis, S., & Zourmpakis, A. I. (2021). Gamification in science education. A systematic review of the literature. Education Sciences, 11(1), 1–36. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11010022
Karagiannis, S., & Magkos, E. (2020). Adapting CTF challenges into virtual cybersecurity learning environments. Information and Computer Security, 29(1), 105–132. https://doi.org/10.1108/ICS-04-2019-0050
Khaldi, A., Bouzidi, R., & Nader, F. (2023). Gamification of e-learning in higher education: a systematic literature review. In Smart Learning Environments (Vol. 10, Issue 1). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00227-z
Khodabandelou, R., Roghanian, P., Gheysari, H., & Amoozegar, A. (2023). A systematic review of gamification in organizational learning. In Learning Organization (Vol. 30, Issue 2, pp. 251–272). Emerald Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-05-2022-0057
Kim, J. B., Zhong, C., & Liu, H. (2023). Teaching Tip: What You Need to Know about Gamification Process of Cybersecurity Hands-on Lab Exercises: Lessons and Challenges. Print) Journal of Information Systems Education, 34(4), 2023.
Kusuma, G. P., Wigati, E. K., Utomo, Y., & Putera Suryapranata, L. K. (2018). Analysis of Gamification Models in Education Using MDA Framework. Procedia Computer Science, 135, 385–392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2018.08.187
Laine, T. H., & Lindberg, R. S. N. (2020). Designing Engaging Games for Education: A Systematic Literature Review on Game Motivators and Design Principles. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, 13(4), 804–821. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2020.3018503
Mazlan, A., Ahmad, I., & Salam, S. (2023a). A Systematic Literature Review in Gamification Implementation and Game Elements in Malaysia Education. 13th IEEE Symposium on Computer Applications and Industrial Electronics, ISCAIE 2023, 25–31. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISCAIE57739.2023.10165134
Mazlan, A., Ahmad, I., & Salam, S. (2023b). A Systematic Literature Review in Gamification Implementation and Game Elements in Malaysia Education. 13th IEEE Symposium on Computer Applications and Industrial Electronics, ISCAIE 2023, 25–31. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISCAIE57739.2023.10165134
Mendoza, A. L., Hernández, R. V. R., Quezada, M. T. P., & Hernández, R. S. (2023). Cybersecurity among University Students from Generation Z: A Comparative Study of the Undergraduate Programs in Administration and Public Accounting in two Mexican Universities. TEM Journal, 12(1), 503–511. https://doi.org/10.18421/TEM121-60
Moon, T., Abegaz, T., Payne, B., & Salimi, A. (2020). MalAware Defensive: A Game to Train Users to Combat Malware. Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice, 2020(1). https://doi.org/10.62915/2472-2707.1065
Morillas Barrio, C., Munoz-Organero, M., & Sanchez Soriano, J. (2016). Can Gamification Improve the Benefits of Student Response Systems in Learning? An Experimental Study. IEEE Transactions on Emerging Topics in Computing, 4(3), 429–438. https://doi.org/10.1109/TETC.2015.2497459
Muhly, F., Leo, P., & Caneppele, S. (2022). A Serious Game For Social Engineering Awareness Creation. In Research and Practice Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice (Vol. 2022, Issue 1).
Paculanan, R. S., Tadeo, R. L., Caliliw, M. T., Atal, C. P., & Sadol, J. N. (2024). Cyberverse: A Game-Based Learning Application for Cyber Security. https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS
Quayyum, F., Cruzes, D. S., & Jaccheri, L. (2021). Cybersecurity awareness for children: A systematic literature review. In International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction (Vol. 30). Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2021.100343
Ros, S., Gonzalez, S., Robles, A., Tobarra, L. L., Caminero, A., & Cano, J. (2020). Analyzing Students’ Self-Perception of Success and Learning Effectiveness Using Gamification in an Online Cybersecurity Course. IEEE Access, 8, 97718–97728. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2996361
Rosmansyah, Y., Isdiyanto, I., Hardi, A. B., & Putri, A. (2020). Using gamification for engaging surveyors: a case study in Statistics Indonesia. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 17(4), 377–391. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-08-2019-0042
Ruoslahti, H., Coburn, J., Trent, A., & Tikanmäki, I. (2021). Cyber Skills Gaps – A Systematic Review of the Academic Literature. Connections, 20(2), 33–45. https://doi.org/10.11610/Connections.20.2.04
Sailer, M., & Sailer, M. (2021). Gamification of in-class activities in flipped classroom lectures. British Journal of Educational Technology, 52(1), 75–90. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12948
Shah, M. U., Iqbal, F., Rehman, U., & Hung, P. C. K. (2023). A Comparative Assessment of Human Factors in Cybersecurity: Implications for Cyber Governance. IEEE Access, 11, 87970–87984. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3296580
Shortt, M., Tilak, S., Kuznetcova, I., Martens, B., & Akinkuolie, B. (2023). Gamification in mobile-assisted language learning: a systematic review of Duolingo literature from public release of 2012 to early 2020. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 36(3), 517–554. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2021.1933540
Srivatanakul, T. (2024). Designing Cybersecurity Escape Rooms: A Gamified Approach to Designing Cybersecurity Escape Rooms: A Gamified Approach to Undergraduate Learning Undergraduate Learning Designing Cybersecurity Escape Rooms: A Gamified Approach to Undergraduate Learning. In Research and Practice Journal of Cybersecurity Education. https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/jcerp
Subhash, S., & Cudney, E. A. (2018). Gamified learning in higher education: A systematic review of the literature. Computers in Human Behavior, 87, 192–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.05.028
Suh, A., Wagner, C., & Liu, L. (2018). Enhancing User Engagement through Gamification. Journal of Computer Information Systems, 58(3), 204–213. https://doi.org/10.1080/08874417.2016.1229143
Tobarra, L., Utrilla, A., Robles-Gómez, A., Pastor-Vargas, R., & Hernández, R. (2021). A cloud game-based educative platform architecture: The cyberscratch project. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 11(2), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020807
Torresan, S., & Hinterhuber, A. (2023). Continuous learning at work: the power of gamification. Management Decision, 61(13), 386–412. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-12-2020-1669
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Wanick, V., & Bui, H. (2019). Gamification in Management: analysis and research directions. International Journal of Serious Games, 6(2), 57–74. https://doi.org/10.17083/ijsg.v6i2.282
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Tan, T., Abdullah, R. S., & Mas’ud, Z. (2025). Cybersecurity Education Using Gamification: Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 15(10), 743–760.

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