A CROSS-CULTURAL AND GENDER-BASED PERSPECTIVE FOR ONLINE SECURITY: eXPLORING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTITUDEs OF HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS

Preparing students adequately against online-attacks is a constant teaching and learning challenge, no matter how many advanced security-related courses have been developed for higher education curricula worldwide. Recently emphasis has also been put on online identity theft and social awareness in general. The authors research the knowledge, skills and attitudes of future IT professionals, from a cross-cultural and gender perspective. The available data were collected from international students in Software Engineering and other IT related disciplines via a questionnaire. The processed data revealed that (i) students are not free of security misconceptions, which security education is called upon to address and (ii) courses about online security can be part of a strategy for increasing social awareness on privacy protection. This pilot survey also revealed that the following issues are crucial: (a) the cultural and gender dimensions, (b) personality traits and (c) teaching methodology and learning environment used for security education. The researchers specify strategic guidelines in higher education for timely privacy protection and citizens’ security. The information provided in this study will be practical and useful for curricula design and formal/informal learning practices. Hence, courses on security can be thought-provoking, interesting throughout the learning process and effective regarding the learning outcomes.