The Challenge
The existing Windows-like platform was dated and difficult to navigate. As a result, participants spent much of their limited training time learning how to complete the exercises rather than actively engaging with the scenarios. NUARI wanted to modernize the design and significantly enhance the user experience by creating a more intuitive application that fostered learning. In addition, NUARI sought an appealing and branded desktop design that was also tablet-friendly.
The Solution
After thoroughly examining each exercise to clearly understand the various threat scenarios, the design team created a solution that accommodated user tendencies in a way that was relevant and engaging. For instance, Boston UX designed a new, less complex information architecture that made navigating the platform quicker and easier, and enhanced NUARI’s ability to onboard new users.
Boston UX also designed an intuitive drag and drop interface and devised other creative ways to allow players to seamlessly switch between information screens on the fly. These efforts ensure that users can access the right information at the right time, which enhances learning.
To further support learning, Boston UX integrated the ability to customize workspaces. With the reimagined design, NUARI can add context, easily customize questions and exercises, and tailor simulations for specific groups to ensure the simulations are relevant to participants' unique situations.
The flexible new design system, which includes wireframes, a full component library and a working prototype, also makes it easier to create questions in a variety of formats. This ensures that the training tool will continue to be relevant even as the threat landscape evolves.
The Result
The redesigned training portal application is a dramatic departure from the original look and feel, yet still respects NUARI’s established branding. As a result, users are more engaged now than ever. Today, NUARI has a truly exceptional cybersecurity exercise platform that equips customers with the situational awareness, strategic communications capabilities, and critical security gap identification they need to prevail against serious cyber threats. (In the photo at right a NUARI exercise facilitator assists participants during a distributed cybersecurity exercise utilizing the DECIDE® Platform.)