A UK Case Study on Cybersecurity Education and Accreditation

Crick, Tom, Davenport, James, Irons, Alastair and Prickett, Tom (2019) A UK Case Study on Cybersecurity Education and Accreditation. In: 2019 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE): October 16-19, 2019 Cincinnati, Ohio; proceedings. IEEE, Piscataway, NJ. ISBN 9781728117478, 9781728117461

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Abstract

This Innovative Practice Full Paper presents a national case study-based analysis of the numerous dimensions to cybersecurity education and how they are implemented and accredited; from understanding the interaction of hardware and software, moving from theory to practice (and vice versa), to human factors, policy and politics (as well as other important facets). A multitude of model curricula and recommendations have been presented and discussed in international fora in recent years, with varying levels of impact on education, policy and practice. This paper address three key questions: i) What is taught and what should be taught for cybersecurity to general computer science students; ii) Should cybersecurity be taught stand-alone or in an integrated manner to general computer science students; and iii) Can accreditation by national professional, statutory and regulatory bodies enhance the provision of cybersecurity within a body’s jurisdiction?

Evaluating how cybersecurity is taught in all aspects of computer science is clearly a task of considerable size, one that is beyond the scope of this paper. Instead a case study-based research approach, primarily focusing on the UK, has been adopted to evaluate the evidence of the teaching of cybersecurity within general computer science to university-level students. Thus, in the context of widespread international computer science/engineering curriculum reform, what does this need to embed cybersecurity mean more generally for institutions and educators, and how can we teach this subject more effectively? Through this UK case study, and by contrasting with the US, we demonstrate the positive effect that national accreditation requirements can have, and give some recommendations both for future research and curriculum developments.

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