One of the main challenges of introducing new training tools is time. Development teams already juggle tight deadlines, feature releases, and production maintenance. Any new initiative—no matter how beneficial—needs to fit seamlessly into that schedule. Secure Code Cards were designed with this reality in mind. In fact, you can onboard your entire development team to Secure Code Cards in just one hour.
Step 1: Establish the Goal (10 minutes)
The first step is to establish the goal: improving security habits, not just compliance. Begin your onboarding session with a short discussion about why secure coding matters to your organization. Present recent vulnerability data or examples of costly security incidents in the industry. This sets context and builds motivation for what's coming next.
Step 2: Introduce Secure Code Cards (10 minutes)
Next, introduce Secure Code Cards as a lightweight, collaborative learning system. Explain how each card works—a concise scenario, a focused security concept, and an immediate takeaway. Emphasize that the cards are meant to be used flexibly: during team meetings, code reviews, or as part of personal skill-building. This adaptability is what makes them easy to integrate without disrupting work.
Step 3: Live Demonstration (15 minutes)
In the first 15 minutes, guide your team through a live demonstration. Pick one card, such as input validation or authentication basics, and walk through it as a group. Encourage discussion about how the concept applies to your current codebase. This exercise shows that the cards are not abstract—they are practical tools to improve real projects.
Step 4: Hands-On Practice (20 minutes)
Next, assign small groups or pairs to work through a few more cards independently. This interactive segment gives developers hands-on experience with the platform while encouraging collaboration. Afterward, reconvene and discuss insights or "a-ha" moments. This peer-to-peer exchange reinforces learning and sparks interest in continuing.
Step 5: Integration Planning (5 minutes)
Finally, wrap up by outlining how Secure Code Cards will fit into the team's routine. Many organizations schedule a five-minute session once or twice per week, often tied to sprint cycles or team stand-ups. Because each card takes only a few minutes, the time investment is minimal, yet the impact compounds quickly. Reinforce that consistency is more important than intensity—small, regular doses of learning build strong, lasting habits.
Making It Stick: Long-Term Success
By the end of the hour, your team will not only understand how to use Secure Code Cards but also feel motivated to make security part of their everyday practice. No lengthy training, no tedious setup—just immediate engagement and tangible results. With Secure Code Cards, onboarding isn't a hurdle; it's the first step toward continuous, team-driven security improvement.
Recommended Integration Schedule
- Week 1-2: One 5-minute card session during daily stand-ups
- Week 3-4: Two sessions per week, including one during code reviews
- Month 2+: Regular integration into sprint retrospectives and planning