XP (experience points) is the currency of Cypher's gamification system. Every completed training activity awards XP. As XP accumulates, users advance through six levels. Levels, streaks, and badges give users a visible measure of their security awareness progress over time.
The Six Levels
Users start at Recruit and advance through the ladder as XP accumulates:
| Level | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Recruit |
| 2 | Analyst |
| 3 | Operator |
| 4 | Specialist |
| 5 | Sentinel |
| 6 | Ghost |
The current level and XP total are visible on the user's dashboard at all times.
How XP Is Earned
XP is awarded when a session is fully completed — specifically, when the user submits the debrief at the end. The amount earned depends on the session type and the choices made during the scenario. Partial sessions do not award XP.
Activities that award XP:
- Completing an annual training session
- Completing a monthly training session
- Completing a remediation micro-training session
XP is not awarded for starting a session, for viewing the lesson library, or for any incomplete activity.
Monthly Score vs. All-Time XP
Cypher tracks two separate XP figures:
- All-Time XP — the running total since the user's account was created. This never resets.
- Monthly Score — XP earned in the current calendar month. This resets on the first of every month.
The leaderboard (Complete tier) shows both figures as separate ranking categories.
Monthly Streaks
A streak represents consecutive calendar months in which a user completed at least one training session.
- The streak counter increments when the user completes their first session of a new month.
- On the first of each month, the system checks whether every user completed training in the prior month. Any user who did not have their streak broken and reset to zero.
- Streaks are visible on the user's dashboard and on the leaderboard (Longest Streak category).
To keep a streak alive, users only need to complete one training session per calendar month. Completing more sessions in a month earns more XP but does not accelerate the streak count.
Badges
Twenty-four badge types can be unlocked through specific achievements. Badges appear in the Achievements section of the user's profile. Admins viewing a user's profile can also see earned badges.
Where to See XP Progress
- Dashboard — shows current XP, level, streak, and the next session due.
- Achievements — shows earned badges and level history.
- Leaderboard (Complete tier) — shows where a user ranks against others in the organisation.
FAQ
Can XP be manually adjusted by an admin? No. XP is awarded only by the system when training activities are completed.
Does All-Time XP ever decrease? No. All-Time XP only increases. The monthly score resets each month, but the all-time total is permanent.
Is there a difference in XP between passing and failing a scenario? The scenario itself does not have a pass/fail state — it is adaptive. XP is awarded for completing the session regardless of the path taken. The debrief explains what the best choices were.