The Need for Better Cybersecurity Education
Many proposals that lawmakers have proposed to weaken cybersecurity are commonly discussed by the App Security Project. Less often discussed are the affirmative steps government can take to dodge digital threats. As has been noted previously, most incidents begin with some kind of human failing. That’s why cybersecurity education – beginning with K-12 – is badly needed.
A new article in Forbes provides interesting perspective on these issues. “The next generation of leaders, researchers and professionals will need the skills and knowledge to combat cyber threats,” writes Darren Guccione, CEO and cofounder of Keeper Security. This is very true, and it is also true of the average the average American. As life becomes increasingly digital everyone will need better cybersecurity know-how.
Schools are woefully underdelivering on cybersecurity curricula. “Our research found only 14% of schools mandate security awareness training, and a mere 13% offer it as an option, leaving most students ill-equipped to handle online threats,” Guccione reports. Although it may take some additional funds to get these courses off the ground, they are likely to pay for themselves – especially in large public-school systems – when students’ education helps them to avoid cyber incidents.
The effort to expand cybersecurity education will necessarily take place at the state level, as the federal government has little role in K-12 education. Some states have begun to implement digital literacy training, and these efforts should only be ramped up or expanded.
In the digital age, cybersecurity threats are ubiquitous and growing. It will take a well-trained population to counter them.
Published on January 27, 2025