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Exploring K-12 Teachers' Definitions and Perspectives of Cybersecurity

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Title: Exploring K-12 Teachers' Definitions and Perspectives of Cybersecurity
Language: English
Authors: Gina Childers (ORCID 0000-0002-1717-3472), Weverton Ataide Pinheiro, Oluwatosin Daramola, C. Lindsay Linsky, Bryson Payne, Jack Byers, Daniel Baker
Source: Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice. 2025 2025(1).
Availability: Kennesaw State University. 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144. Tel: 470-578-3568; e-mail: cybersec@kennesaw.edu; Web site: https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/jcerp/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Teacher Attitudes, Knowledge Level, Definitions, Computer Security, Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Computer Science Education
ISSN: 2472-2707
Abstract: Because K-12 teachers have access to private educational data, they are increasingly at risk of being affected by cybersecurity threats. Examining how teachers conceptualize cybersecurity is vital so that cybersecurity training can be tailored to teachers' understanding of cybersecurity. This study examined K-12 teachers' (n = 255) personalized definitions of cybersecurity as these perceptions may influence online behaviors. These definitions were also reviewed by teacher type (cybersecurity teacher or noncybersecurity teacher), teacher self-identified gender, and teacher age. The cybersecurity definitions were aligned and contextualized within a modified NICE Framework Core with a specific focus on three areas: protection and monitoring, response and mitigating threats, and improvement and communication. Teacher responses were thematically coded and analyzed. Results showed that K-12 teachers, regardless of if the teacher taught cybersecurity, defined cybersecurity as a 1) skill and/or a 2) source of protection while involved in online experiences. When examined by gender and age cohorts, descriptions between groups were similar. The theme of improvement and communication was the least represented among K-12 teachers' definitions of cybersecurity. As perceptions and definitions of cybersecurity may influence online behavior, teachers' conceptualization of cybersecurity may assist in how training opportunities are designed and implemented for teachers to encourage safe and responsible online behavior for the school community.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1481386
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Exploring K-12 Teachers' Definitions and Perspectives of Cybersecurity
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gina+Childers%22">Gina Childers</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1717-3472">0000-0002-1717-3472</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Weverton+Ataide+Pinheiro%22">Weverton Ataide Pinheiro</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Oluwatosin+Daramola%22">Oluwatosin Daramola</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22C%2E+Lindsay+Linsky%22">C. Lindsay Linsky</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bryson+Payne%22">Bryson Payne</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jack+Byers%22">Jack Byers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Daniel+Baker%22">Daniel Baker</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Cybersecurity+Education%2C+Research+and+Practice%22"><i>Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice</i></searchLink>. 2025 2025(1).
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  Data: Kennesaw State University. 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144. Tel: 470-578-3568; e-mail: cybersec@kennesaw.edu; Web site: https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/jcerp/
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  Data: 13
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Attitudes%22">Teacher Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Knowledge+Level%22">Knowledge Level</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Definitions%22">Definitions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Security%22">Computer Security</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Teachers%22">Elementary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Teachers%22">Secondary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+Differences%22">Gender Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Age+Differences%22">Age Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Science+Education%22">Computer Science Education</searchLink>
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  Data: Because K-12 teachers have access to private educational data, they are increasingly at risk of being affected by cybersecurity threats. Examining how teachers conceptualize cybersecurity is vital so that cybersecurity training can be tailored to teachers' understanding of cybersecurity. This study examined K-12 teachers' (n = 255) personalized definitions of cybersecurity as these perceptions may influence online behaviors. These definitions were also reviewed by teacher type (cybersecurity teacher or noncybersecurity teacher), teacher self-identified gender, and teacher age. The cybersecurity definitions were aligned and contextualized within a modified NICE Framework Core with a specific focus on three areas: protection and monitoring, response and mitigating threats, and improvement and communication. Teacher responses were thematically coded and analyzed. Results showed that K-12 teachers, regardless of if the teacher taught cybersecurity, defined cybersecurity as a 1) skill and/or a 2) source of protection while involved in online experiences. When examined by gender and age cohorts, descriptions between groups were similar. The theme of improvement and communication was the least represented among K-12 teachers' definitions of cybersecurity. As perceptions and definitions of cybersecurity may influence online behavior, teachers' conceptualization of cybersecurity may assist in how training opportunities are designed and implemented for teachers to encourage safe and responsible online behavior for the school community.
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 13
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Knowledge Level
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Definitions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Security
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Teachers
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      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Gender Differences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Age Differences
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      – SubjectFull: Computer Science Education
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      – TitleFull: Exploring K-12 Teachers' Definitions and Perspectives of Cybersecurity
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