Teaching Information Assurance Online

Abstract

Cyber security threats, systems vulnerabilities, privacy concerns, and other security developments are progressing and proliferating rapidly. This article describes experience accumulated in teaching an online Information Assurance course at a 4-year college for graduate and undergraduate students. The course content is based on the security curriculum structured by ten security domains of knowledge, as defined by the (ISC)² for professional certification programs CISSP of (ISC)². Only eight out of ten domains are included in the 10-week IA-Study course. The courses uses several basic e-learning activities online studies supported with Via Voice-narrated slides presentation, video presentation, online reference book and supplemental readings; collaborative and individual coursework supported by Online WorkBook (WB) in Google Docs, assessment quizzes administered online via Blackboard/WebCT, and team/class discussions and networking supported with a dedicated Google Blog. WB facilitates collaborative students’ work using Wiki technology; it provides both work instructions and the place to submit the students work. Using a log in the Google Docs, the instructor can see individual contributions of team members to a collaborative project. In addition, each team is required to submit members’ peer evaluations. WikiDigest project – a value-added work-in-progress - opens opportunities for the instructor and the students to work together on collecting Tips and Recommendations for an Information Security Awareness knowledge base that can be used on campus by students and faculty. In conclusion, the article reviews students’ perceptions of online learning such as acceptance of online learning in general, time needed and actually spent to study the course, and effectiveness of team collaboration.