Digital literacy has become crucial for functionality and productivity in academics, work, and everyday community lives. However, easy access to digital technologies, accompanied by limited digital literacy, can expose users to the dangers that lurk in the digital world. Young people, who are frequent users of these technologies yet have less…

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) has created an unprecedented opportunity for innovation across industries, but its complexity often presents a steep learning curve for many (Roberts & Candi, 2024; Gunner, 2025). This highlights the need for user-friendly tools that bridge the gap between AI's potential and its practical…

The human aspects of cyber security are fundamental as these are interlinked with processes and technology in building resilience against an evolving and complex threat landscape. It is vital to teach future cyber security specialists sufficient knowledge about human aspects in order to strengthen the defences and defend against malicious actors.…

Software vulnerabilities in commercial products are an issue of national importance. The most prevalent breaches are input validation vulnerabilities, and these are easily avoidable. This dissertation contributes to cybersecurity education with a set of hands-on interventions tailored for three CS courses, a set of reflection prompts to encourage…

We present a concrete situation where there is a difference between the theoretical security of a cipher and its limitations when implemented in practice. Specifically, when entering a PIN, smudges on the keypad substantially reduce its security. We show how the number of possible keys in the presence of the "smudge attack" can be…

Information and communication technology (ICT) has become an essential part of the daily lives of tertiary students. However, research into assessing digital competency and its effects on academic performance is still limited. This paper explores students' needs for digital competence, the impact of digital access on academic performance, and the…

Curriculum development is currently being done in a variety of ways: individually, with peers, through an academic committee that may or may not have an industry representative, or through workshops. But the current ways of developing curriculum have challenges and inefficiencies, specifically when using groups and committee (logistical…

The profound impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on various fronts, is driven by technological advancements, the ubiquitous spread of information, and the emergence of transformative events. IoT presents a diverse array of possibilities within university environments, fostering a more connected and enhanced educational experience. This research…

As higher education institutions (HEIs) increasingly rely on digital technologies for teaching, research, and administration, they are facing continuous increases in cybersecurity threats due to their open and complex IT environments. They are becoming high-value targets for cyberattacks such as ransomware, data breaches, and intellectual property…

This paper investigates the integration of blockchain technology into core systems within institutions of higher education, utilizing the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework as a guiding framework. It supplies definitions of key terminology including blockchain, consensus mechanisms, decentralized…

The study helped investigate Peruvian Higher Education Institutions' (PHEI) security posture and how the adoption of modern technology enhanced the operational processes to reduce cyber threats. The purpose of the research was based on research questions to assess access controls effectiveness, infrastructure security gaps, emerging technology…

Integrity, security, and sustained investment in data systems are critical for state agencies and stakeholders to effectively harness information to inform policy and decision-making in postsecondary education. Recognizing this crucial need, the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) has led the charge with its State…

The cyber security environment, its threats, and its defence strategies are constantly changing. Educational programmes and their curriculum are known to be slow changing and at times out-of-date, resulting in content that may not be as relevant to their students and the industry. This research paper will 1 -- present an overview of the curriculum…

To support the workforce gap of skilled cybersecurity professionals, gamified pedagogical approaches for teaching cybersecurity have exponentially grown over the last two decades. During this same period, e-sports developed into a multi-billion dollar industry and became a staple on college campuses. In this work, we explore the opportunity to…

Cybersecurity threats have been intensifying and becoming more diverse. Social engineering can enable or enhance these technical attacks. This interplay between technical attacks and social engineering, when used, makes every employee, manager and board member a part of the security infrastructure of an organization. As such, it is incumbent upon…