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Towards Goal-Oriented Experiential Learning for Cybersecurity Programs

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Conference

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Publication Date

August 23, 2022

Start Date

June 26, 2022

End Date

June 29, 2022

Conference Session

Computers in Education 7 - Modulus 2

Page Count

18

DOI

10.18260/1-2--41687

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/41687

Download Count

282

Paper Authors

biography

Eman Hammad Texas A&M University - Commerce

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Dr. Eman Hammad is a cybersecurity professional & interdisciplinary professional focusing on trustworthy & resilient complex systems and emerging technologies. She obtained her PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto. Dr. Hammad is an is an assistant professor with Texas A&M University - Commerce. She combines practical experience and theoretical research to shape her vision for resilient-by-design solutions in the connected world. She is the director of the innovations in Systems Trust & Resilience (iSTAR) lab. Dr. Hammad's work has been published in more than 50 papers, and was recognized with merit awards (best paper award, best poster award) and has been featured on multiple outlets. Most recently, she was honored as one of Canada's Top 20 Women in Cybersecurity. Dr. Hammad is a senior IEEE member currently serving as Toronto ComSoc chair, and the co-chair of the IEEE 5G Security working group for the International Network Generations Roadmap (INGR). She delivered numerous invited talks in academic and industrial conferences, chaired and co-chaired several conferences and workshops, and participated in several panels. She serves on the advisory board of several initiatives. Dr. Hammad is an active advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM and Cybersecurity. Her service has been recognized by IEEE exceptional, chapter achievement, and exemplary service awards.

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biography

James Nelson Texas A&M University

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Associate Vice Chancellor in the Texas A&M University System and Director of the RELLIS Academic Alliance.

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biography

John Romero Texas A&M University

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Cybersecurity instructor, maker of IoT, techie, software developer, sailor, private pilot, Air Force veteran, and electronic warfare technician. Mentor, coach, and facilitator for young adults entering the workforce. Passionate instructor and influencer for positive ethical leadership. Research interests include cybersecurity social engineering, human element in cybersecurity, Smart Manufacturing, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) hacking.

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Abstract

The continuously increasing gap in the cybersecurity workforce, in numbers and skill levels, demands a fundamental shift in how we approach cybersecurity education and training. This is further complicated when considering the need to enable learners from a diverse set of backgrounds for a larger spectrum of career trajectories within the industry. In this article, we present our model for a goal-oriented experiential learning that was implemented in one cybersecurity course with interactive learning modules. In this model, a closed-loop learning environment is established, where students are actively involved and guided to include their goals in an interactive set of learning modules of the course. Students were provided with the needed infrastructure and technologies (such as IoT devices, cyberrange platform) to enable them to proceed with those modules. The article summarizes the results based on students' feedback and observations. The article concludes with a description of a methodology to generalize this to other similar courses.

Hammad, E., & Nelson, J., & Romero, J. (2022, August), Towards Goal-Oriented Experiential Learning for Cybersecurity Programs Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--41687

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