Holistic cyber education

Abstract

This chapter argues that the permeation of cyber into all aspects of our lives has induced a moral imperative for integrating a holistic cyber education approach into all levels of education, so that individuals are equipped with a level of cyber education proportionate to their role in society. Using the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) at West Point as a guide, the chapter demonstrates the holistic cyber education approach constitutes three elements: in-class curricula, experiential outside-the-classroom activities and a pervasive cyber-aware environment. Regarding in-class curricula, the chapter describes how the technical and non-technical components of cyber can be integrated into various levels of general cyber education, disciplinary and interdisciplinary cyber electives, cyber threads, minors and majors. Extracurricular cyber activities include internships, part-time-jobs, student clubs, conferences, and competitive events. Constructing a pervasive cyber environment involves exposing students to cyber professionals from whom they can receive mentorship, career guidance and inspiration. While the chapter primarily uses examples from undergraduate education, it argues that the three tenets of holistic cyber education––in-class curricula, extracurricular activities, and a pervasive cyber environment––can be extended to junior or post-graduate education.