CASE STUDY: OIL + GAS CO
Building Curiosity and Problem-Solving at Scale
How a Large U.S. Energy Infrastructure Company Makes Skill Development Flexible and Engaging
The Challenge
A large U.S. energy infrastructure company wanted to strengthen their team’s problem-solving skills while building a culture rooted in curiosity and initiative.
They faced challenges that are familiar to many security teams including heavy workloads, limited time, and difficulty prioritizing lengthy, traditional training models.
Long-form webinars and multi-hour online courses were not realistic for the team’s schedules. Physical off-site training is expensive and takes team members from their daily job tasks.
They faced challenges that are familiar to many security teams including heavy workloads, limited time, and difficulty prioritizing lengthy, traditional training models.
Long-form webinars and multi-hour online courses were not realistic for the team’s schedules. Physical off-site training is expensive and takes team members from their daily job tasks.
"People want to get sent offsite to do training [but] there is a lot of good training that no longer requires you being in person."
- David Bouchard, Manager of Enterprise Security Tools and Architecture
Many other hands-on platforms required steeper onboarding or significant time commitments. Leadership needed a sustainable way to encourage development without disrupting day-to-day security operations.
They faced several key obstacles:
Many Challenging time constraints
Security responsibilities made it difficult to block off hours for structured training.
Limited leadership visibility
Leaders lacked clear insight into who was proactively developing skills versus completing required tasks.
Difficulty with muchlower engagement
Traditional training formats struggled to generate sustained interest across a naturally curious team.
The organization needed a solution that was flexible, engaging, and aligned with the way security professionals actually work.
The Solution
The organization adopted SkillBit Labs to implement a hands-on, flexible approach to continuous development. SkillBit Labs self-service training platform provides hands-on challenges that mirror real world security work as well as tailored learning modules covering key security concepts and tools.
The browser-based platform was accessible for team members looking to get started without a lengthy onboarding process. Leadership sees clear benefits from introducing team members to SkillBit Labs early in their time at the organization. The platform is embedded into both onboarding and team culture.
The browser-based platform was accessible for team members looking to get started without a lengthy onboarding process. Leadership sees clear benefits from introducing team members to SkillBit Labs early in their time at the organization. The platform is embedded into both onboarding and team culture.
"[SkillBit Labs] actually simulates real-world stuff. When new people come into the team, we get them engaged with [SkillBit Labs]."
- David Bouchard, Manager of Enterprise Security Tools & Architecture
Because the platform offered both variety and easy access, it tapped into the team’s natural curiosity, turning learning from a time-consuming obligation into something genuinely enjoyable.
"We like to solve problems and we’re all really curious, so the challenges that were in [SkillBit Labs] scratched that itch in a way that was fun."
- David Bouchard, Manager of Enterprise Security Tools and Architecture
Because the platform offered both variety and easy access, it tapped into the team’s natural curiosity, turning learning from a time-consuming obligation into something genuinely enjoyable.
"We like to solve problems and we’re all really curious, so the challenges that were in [SkillBit Labs] scratched that itch in a way that was fun."
- David Bouchard, Manager of Enterprise Security Tools and Architecture
How A Large U.S. Energy Infrastructure
Company Uses SkillBit Labs
Leadership intentionally positions the platform as an investment in their people. By making hands-on learning accessible and engaging, the organization signals that professional growth isn’t just encouraged, it’s supported. The result is a development experience that feels empowering rather than obligatory.
The team uses pockets of time between meetings or after hours to complete challenges. The bite-sized nature of challenges has made it easy for teams to work training into busy schedules and build momentum. Rather than carving out full training days, they make meaningful progress in 15-30 minute increments between meetings, incidents, and day-to-day responsibilities.
The team uses pockets of time between meetings or after hours to complete challenges. The bite-sized nature of challenges has made it easy for teams to work training into busy schedules and build momentum. Rather than carving out full training days, they make meaningful progress in 15-30 minute increments between meetings, incidents, and day-to-day responsibilities.
"You spend most of your awake time at the office, so I try to make things fun if I can. That’s the thing with [SkillBit Labs], it’s fun. It’s a bonus that we get to do this!"
- David Bouchard, Manager of Enterprise Security Tools and Architecture
Time-based features such as weekly challenge drops and other gamified features build excitement and friendly competition. David Bouchard, Manager of Enterprise Security Tools and Architecture prints 3D trophies to award to team members to recognize participation and keep learning visible across the team.
SkillBit Labs gives leadership visibility into hard-to-measure metrics such as curiosity and passion for the field. By practicing investigative thinking in a low-stakes environment, the team strengthens the same logic, persistence, and problem-solving skills required during live incidents.
SkillBit Labs gives leadership visibility into hard-to-measure metrics such as curiosity and passion for the field. By practicing investigative thinking in a low-stakes environment, the team strengthens the same logic, persistence, and problem-solving skills required during live incidents.
The Outcome
With SkillBit Labs, the organization transforms training from something intimidating and difficult to prioritize into something flexible, engaging, and sustainable. They achieved:
Higher engagement
Hands-on, bite-sized challenges drive consistent participation.
Stronger Problem-Solving
Realistic scenarios reinforce investigative thinking.
Greater leadership visibility
Clearer insight into curiosity, initiative, and career-mindedness.
Stronger camaraderie
Friendly competition and recognition create team energy.
Sustainable Development
Skill-building fits into 15-minute increments instead of multi-hour commitments.
Most importantly, training becomes something the team genuinely enjoys. By meeting security professionals where they are, SkillBit turns continuous development into alasting part of this team’s culture.
"We like to solve problems and we’re all really curious, so the challenges that were in [SkillBit Labs] scratched that itch in a way that was fun."
- David Bouchard, Manager of Enterprise Security Tools and Architecture
