Susan Brown-Clukey
Professor Aslan
CYSE 425W
In the continuous technological advancement, cybersecurity education has become increasingly important. School-aged children and young adults spend a lot of time on the Internet, and most of their curriculum is in computer programs, books, and school intranets. As they navigate the Internet within their schools, they need to safeguard their school and personal information and help them understand what online threats are lurking about on the Internet.
By including cybersecurity education and concepts into the curriculum, not only would it empower the students, but it would also teach children from an early age about being responsible digital citizens and foster a more secure and resilient society. When we teach the children, it can transfer over to the parents and families lacking in cybersecurity knowledge.
Some important social implications:
- Improved Digital Literacy: As students learn about cybersecurity, which could include recognizing phishing attempts, the importance of strong passwords, and understanding privacy settings, all of which play a crucial role in protecting personal data. These skills help reduce the likelihood of cyber incidents and encourage personal accountability and vigilance.
- Increased Awareness and Education: By educating students about the different digital threats and how to protect themselves from them, we empower them with knowledge that can also help their families and contribute to a more informed public. Educating students has a ripple effect when they share their knowledge with their family members who may not have cybersecurity training and may be unaware of how to protect themselves and their information online.
- Increased Personal Security: Informing students about cybersecurity will teach them to shield and protect their data from security breaches and encourage them to keep their personal data and online activities secure, reducing their chances of falling victim to cyberattacks.
- Economic Impact: Educating the youth while in school will also educate their families, which can merge their home lives and future work environments. This knowledge could reduce economic losses from cybercrimes.
- Addresses Inequality: Including cybersecurity education in the standards of learning it can help bridge the digital divide by reducing the gap between students from all backgrounds gaining the necessary cybersecurity skills essential in this modern society and economy.
- Workforce Preparedness: Educating students today can fill the roles in the growing tech-related and cybersecurity fields of the future.
Teaching students about cybersecurity, threats, phishing, malware, etc., should not only should be a part of the standards of learning but also part of their daily instruction. Teachers must be equipped with the proper and age-appropriate curriculum and trained to teach such material. Having activities that are hands-on and interactive activities would enhance the understanding and retention of the material.
Resource Websites could include:
K-12 Cybersecurity | U.S. Department of Education
Roadmap for K12 Cybersecurity Education | NIST
Cybersecurity for K-12 Education | CISA
In conclusion, incorporating cybersecurity education and awareness into school systems’ standards of learning not only prepares students for the realities of the digital world but also provides them with the knowledge of how to protect themselves in the future.
Agency, C. &. (2022, Sept 8). Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. Retrieved from https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa22-249a-0: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa22-249a-0
NIST. (n.d.). National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved from National Institute of Standards and Technology: https://www.nist.gov/
saferkidsonline. (2022, December 1). saferkidsonline. Retrieved from saferkidsonline.com: https://saferkidsonline.eset.com/uk/article/identifying-common-social-engineering-attacks-to-kids