Empowering students in the face of evolving cyber threats

From Grok Academy, Cyber Skills Aotearoa provides classroom-ready activities and challenges to develop students’ cyber security and digital literacy skills. All resources are free, aligned with the NZ Curriculum and available in English and te reo Ma-ori.

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, digital literacy and cyber skills have become essential for everyone. The rapid advancement of technology has brought immense opportunities but also numerous challenges, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity. To address these, Grok Academy, in collaboration with Ta - tai Aho Rau Core Education, has developed the free Cyber Skills Aotearoa/Pu - kenga a - -Ipurangi Aotearoa programme, which aims to teach cyber security skills for a - konga in Years 6-13.

The programme has been developed in both English and te reo Ma - ori and is aligned to the Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko curriculum area. It’s available free to all schools, kura and kura kaupapa Ma - ori, through the support of industry partners.

Engaging and hands-on

Cyber Skills Aotearoa is an innovative activity designed to provide students with comprehensive cybersecurity education, including insights into cybersecurity careers. By introducing the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity, the course fosters a culture of digital resilience, critical thinking, and ethical behaviour. Through engaging and hands-on learning experiences, a - konga are equipped with practical skills that enable them to protect their personal information, identify and mitigate cyber threats, and make responsible decisions in regard to their online data and social media interactions.

The Grok Academy online learning platform provides teachers with a dashboard for managing students and monitoring their progress through the modules and activities. There is an automated feedback and marking system to reduce workload and provide a - konga with support to complete the online learning tasks. In addition to the online learning, there are unplugged activities and a teacher guide for each module that provides suggested follow-up classroom activities and discussion topics.

Recognising the importance of early intervention, the course offers ageappropriate modules for upper primary and intermediate school students, introducing them to basic concepts of cyber security with a focus on responsible sharing and password security. As students progress to secondary school, they delve deeper into the world of cybersecurity, exploring topics such as multi-factor authentication, phishing and scams, web application security, ethical hacking and encryption.

By providing a well-structured and progressive curriculum, it ensures that students develop a solid foundation of cyber skills that can be further honed as they pursue higher education or enter the workforce.

Real-world scenarios

One of the programme’s strengths lies in its emphasis on practical application, making learning interactive and engaging. Cyber Skills Aotearoa/Pu - kenga a - -Ipurangi Aotearoa goes beyond theoretical knowledge, encouraging a - konga to actively engage with real-world scenarios and hands-on activities.

Participants interact with simulated social media and web interfaces in the role of an ethical hacker to sleuth out information and solve problems. They gain valuable insights into the intricacies of cybersecurity, enhancing their problemsolving abilities and critical thinking skills. The programme also promotes teamwork, reflecting the collaborative nature of cybersecurity operations in the professional world. Through these experiential learning opportunities, students develop a strong sense of agency, enabling them to become proactive digital citizens who can contribute to a safer online environment.

Lastly, in addition to its educational impact, Cyber Skills Aotearoa plays a vital role in promoting diversity and inclusion in the field of cybersecurity. It encourages a - konga from all backgrounds to explore the exciting and rewarding career opportunities in this field. By fostering a diverse and inclusive cybersecurity workforce, Cyber Skills Aotearoa/Pu - kenga a - -Ipurangi Aotearoa paves the way for innovation and resilience in the face of evolving cyber threats.

By Julie McMahon, Grok Academy.

For more information on Cyber Skills Aotearoa, including topic and careers videos, go to grokacademy.org/cyber-nz/ and grokacademy.org/cyber-nz-maori/