Cyber-security curricula for basic users

Abstract

There have been only a small number of attempts at creating a cyber-security curriculum that can be used to teach children the concepts of cyber security and information assurance. There is a significant shortage of attempts at creating a computer-security curricula and cyber-security training for people who have only basic computer skills. Also, the integration of computer-security and information assurance principles into formal and accepted primary and secondary education is nearly non-existent. Our research has been aimed at evaluating the current computer-security curricula according to widely accepted educational standards. The objective is to (i) create a set of requirements to analyze the effectiveness of computer-security curricula, (ii) determine the best current disseminated cyber-security curriculum for children, (iii) and make recommendations for a cyber-security curriculum by utilizing the best traits of the surveyed programs. Literature includes studies on previously created computer-security curricula; and the most effective means of teaching children new concepts. Our research questions include: Is it important for a curriculum to be flexible enough to affect a variety of age groups? Is it important for a computer-security education to be interactive and motivational? Is it possible to teach difficult computer-security concepts in a way that children can understand?