In a world where cyber threats evolve faster than most organizations can accurately track, traditional security training often struggles to keep pace. Slides, lectures, and policy documents rarely spark the deep engagement needed to build a resilient cybersecurity culture. That’s where an unexpected method enters the scene—LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP).
At first glance, plastic bricks might seem worlds apart from firewalls and threat intelligence. But together, they form a powerful combination for strengthening digital defences in human-centred ways.
LEGO Serious Play is a facilitated methodology that uses hands-on, minds-on building to explore complex topics. Participants construct 3D models that represent ideas, challenges, and strategies. Through storytelling and metaphor, they access insights that often remain hidden in conventional discussions. When applied to cybersecurity, this approach helps teams visualize abstract risks, surface assumptions, and co-create practical solutions that can then be “played” out.
One of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity isn’t technology—it’s communication. Security experts, IT teams, executives, and everyday employees often speak different “languages.” LSP bridges that gap. When everyone is building models to represent threats, vulnerabilities, or protective behaviours, hierarchy dissolves. A junior analyst’s model sits on the table with the CEO’s. The conversation shifts from technical jargon to shared understanding, enabling richer collaboration.
For example, a team might be asked to “build what cyber resilience looks like.” The resulting models could include bridges showing connections between departments, tall towers representing strong authentication, or minifigures symbolizing empowered employees. These metaphors open doors to deeper dialogue: Why is that bridge fragile? What happens if that tower collapses? Who protects the minifigure? Suddenly, cybersecurity becomes a tangible, visual landscape that everyone can explore.
LSP also supports scenario planning. Facilitators can introduce “threat bricks” to simulate incidents like phishing attacks or system outages. Teams respond by modifying their models, exposing weaknesses and brainstorming responses in real time. This playful yet purposeful environment encourages experimentation and play—something often missing in formal risk workshops.
Ultimately, combining cybersecurity strategy with LEGO Serious Play helps organizations build more than models. It builds awareness, alignment, and actionable insights. By tapping into creativity and shared storytelling, teams develop stronger collective intelligence around digital risks.
In a field dominated by technology, LSP reminds us that cybersecurity is fundamentally human. And sometimes, the simplest tools—like a handful of bricks—unlock the most powerful conversations.
