Empowering Youth in The Digital Age with Cyber Security Education: Results of the Interviews with Secondary School Teachers in Wales

Abstract

As cyberthreats increasingly target vulnerable youth, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity education becomes more critical. Integrating cybersecurity into secondary school curricula offers a promising solution, equipping students with the necessary skills to identify and mitigate cyber risks. Despite the increasing number of cyber risks targeting young people, cybersecurity education in secondary schools is still in its early stages of development. This study investigates the perspectives of 27 secondary school teachers in Wales, United Kingdom, on incorporating cybersecurity education into their curricula. The qualitative insights gathered through semi-structured interviews reveal key challenges and opportunities, including a lack of resources, age-appropriate materials and pedagogical support for teaching cybersecurity. Our findings highlight a need for targeted educational reforms and closer collaboration between schools and cybersecurity professionals. Based on the interview results, we provide practical recommendations for educators, school administrators, and cybersecurity practitioners to enhance secondary cybersecurity education.