Interactive Environment for Effective Cybersecurity Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Cybersecurity affects all users to some extent, and it is essential to raise awareness about potential cybersecurity risks and improve practical skills from an early stage of their education. This paper addresses these aspects and discusses the research, design, and implementation of a platform for effective cybersecurity teaching and learning. Our main contribution is the creation of an interactive environment with the easy-to-use execution and management of educational and training scenarios. Our solution is tailored for multi-level education, as well as small to medium-sized institutions, and we have validated its effectiveness through several test sessions conducted with university and high school students. In addition, the paper presents selected preliminary results from the testing performed and an overall evaluation of the environment.Cybersecurity affects all users to some extent, and it is essential to raise awareness about potential cybersecurity risks and improve practical skills from an early stage of their education. This paper addresses these aspects and discusses the research, design, and implementation of a platform for effective cybersecurity teaching and learning. Our main contribution is the creation of an interactive environment with the easy-to-use execution and management of educational and training scenarios. Our solution is tailored for multi-level education, as well as small to medium-sized institutions, and we have validated its effectiveness through several test sessions conducted with university and high school students. In addition, the paper presents selected preliminary results from the testing performed and an overall evaluation of the environment.