NOWADAYS children are practically born with technology in their hands, but they do not have the information about security.
The rising mobile penetration, internet usage and indispensability of technology in education has also created vulnerable ground for hackers and cyber criminals. These threats should not deter the nation from using technology.
Instead, our children should be better equipped and wellprepared to face such challenges efficiently.
This necessitates the education of cyber security in our local schools. Cybercrime is a growing issue, still not fully understood by our law enforcement agencies.
Reports assert that victims of cybercrime are unlikely to report crimes immediately due to the perception that our Zimbabwe Republic Police are ill-equipped to deal with these offences. Incidents of diverse forms of cyber fraud are increasing in Zimbabwe.
These are related to denial-of-service, Internet of Things (IoT) vulnerabilities, phishing, ransomware, data breach, data manipulation, mobile money fraud, customer care, pension, electricity bill, work from home, sextortion, loan app, parcel, franchisee, fake betting app, crypto investment and Ponzi scheme fraud.
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The common person is becoming a direct victim of these and our police force lacks cybercrime knowledge. Hence, the need for the children to share their knowledge with their parents. To avoid these forms of cybercrimes, we have to be vigilant at every level and that awareness is the most important means to prevent cybercrimes.
The Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education and Higher and Tertiary Education should add cyber awareness and cyber security in the school curriculum.
Including cyber security as part of the school curriculum is crucial in today’s digital age.
As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, it is essential to educate students about the importance of cyber security and equip them with the skills to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
Reasons why cyber security education should be part of the school curriculum include:
Cyber threat awareness: Students need to understand the risks and threats they may encounter online, such as identity theft, cyberbullying, hacking, and phishing. By raising awareness about these issues, students can learn how to identify and respond to potential threats effectively.
Digital citizenship: Teaching cyber security promotes responsible digital citizenship. Students learn about the ethical use of technology, respecting privacy, understanding digital footprints, and engaging in respectful online behaviour. These skills are vital for navigating the online world and fostering a positive digital environment.
Personal security: Cyber security education helps students protect their personal information, such as passwords, social media accounts, and financial details. Students learn about creating strong passwords, recognising secure websites, and safeguarding their digital identities.
Critical thinking and problem-solving: Cyber security education encourages critical thinking skills and problemsolving abilities. Students learn to analyse potential risks, evaluate online information for authenticity, and make informed decisions. These skills extend beyond cyber security and are valuable in various aspects of life.
Career opportunities: The demand for cyber security professionals is rapidly increasing, and providing students with a foundation in cyber security can open doors to future career opportunities. Introducing cyber security concepts early on can inspire students to pursue further education or careers in this field.
Appoint internal cyber security ambassadors: An educational institution should have several volunteers interested in cyber security as ambassadors and implement an educational, training and mentorship programme to develop their knowledge of threats and best practices. Once these initial participants achieve certification, monitor their progress to look for areas to improve.
Cyber culture beats cyber strategy: Educational environments present new learning opportunities for everyone enrolled and on staff. With the global pandemic giving hackers ample time to develop new scams and harmful software, education is the key to addressing the fast-moving threat landscape.
Security awareness education and training must be at the forefront of your people and students' defence strategy to protect themselves. Proactive security awareness education and training will give the participants a heads-up on cyber criminals’ methods and educate them on best practices to safeguard themselves, their information and systems.
To implement cyber security education effectively, schools can introduce age-appropriate curriculum modules, workshops, or extracurricular activities.
Collaboration with cyber security experts, organisations, and law enforcement agencies can also enhance the learning experience.
By integrating cyber security into the school curriculum, Zimbabwe will empower young people and students to become responsible digital citizens and equip them with essential skills to protect themselves and others in the digital landscape.
Let us protect the nation by making cyber security part of our teaching, training and education of Zimbabwe’s educational curriculum.
Mutisi is the CEO of Hansole Investments (Pvt) Ltd and the current chairperson of Zimbabwe Information and Communication Technology, a division of Zimbabwe Institution for Engineers.