IT security is a serious topic, but security officials have found that some levity helps keep workers' attention.

Alexander, like many others, has used Web-based training to educate employees on security topics and used online quizzes to test their knowledge. Although the material covered significant topics, she still found ways to elicit some smirks. For example, the multiple-choice answers for "What is social engineering?" included "a college degree" and "a job on a cruise line" -- obviously false answers infused with a hint of dry wit.

"It's not extremely silly," Alexander says, "but it's something to make people remember."

Pratt is a Computerworld contributing writer in Waltham, Mass. Contact her at marykpratt@verizon.net.

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