TOP 5 Tips For Teacher Empowerment In Cybersecurity
Surveys in a recent course series on Cybersecurity Training for Teachers offered by COL indicated that 80 per cent of teachers had not taken a cybersecurity course before. Teacher training and empowerment in cybersecurity will not only safeguard their virtual learning environments, but also ensure improved learning outcomes. Here are five tips for educators:
1 STAY INFORMED AND EDUCATED
Keeping up to date with the latest trends and threats in cybersecurity is critical for teachers. Attend webinars and workshops, and read relevant articles and blog posts. Enrol in massive open online courses (MOOCs) in this subject.
2 LEVERAGE FREE, OPEN-SOURCE TOOLS AND OER
Several free and open-source tools exist that you can exploit to keep learners and their families safe from cyber-threats. Repurpose and reuse open educational resources (OER) for teaching cybersecurity. Aim to leverage native capabilities in the learners’ smartphones and computers to secure their data and devices.
3 PRACTISE PASSWORD HYGIENE
A secure password is a fundamental and imperative aspect of cybersecurity. Utilise a unique and complex password for each online platform used. Change passwords regularly. Use a password manager to generate, store and share passwords. Incorporate multi-factor authentication (MFA) to further protect your accounts in the event of a compromise.
4 BE AWARE OF SOCIAL ENGINEERING
Educate learners on the dangers of social engineering, such as phishing, baiting and scareware. Remind them to exercise extreme caution when clicking on links from unknown sources, not to use flash drives that have been left lying around and not to click pop-up banners that suggest their computers or smartphones may be infected.
5 INCORPORATE CYBERSECURITY INTO ONLINE PEDAGOGY
Include comprehensive lessons about online safety and privacy in your online teaching. Discuss current events in cybersecurity, and encourage students to be proactive in protecting their own online information. By staying informed and incorporating cybersecurity into their online pedagogy, teachers empower themselves and create opportunities for their students to have secure and productive online learning experiences.
For more information, check out this paper:
Buyu, W., & Ogange, B. (2022). Cybersecurity in online learning: Innovations for teacher training and mpowerment.
https://doi.org/10.56059/pcf10.8823
