The Role of Transnational Education in Cybersecurity

The Role of Transnational Education in Cybersecurity

Did you know that the UK is the second-largest provider of international education, holding a 10% share of the global market? With an 81% increase in UK higher education transnational students since 2008-09, the demand for transnational cybersecurity education is soaring.

In an era where global security is paramount, collaborative defense strategies are crucial. Transnational cybersecurity education plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges and developing a skilled workforce equipped to safeguard our interconnected world.

The Importance of Global Education Security Standards

The Global Education Security Standard (GESS) plays a vital role in ensuring the data security, student privacy, and cyber safety of the education sector worldwide. Developed by the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) in collaboration with key players in educational technology (EdTech) as well as school districts, states, and countries, GESS sets a benchmark for international data security within the education industry.

GESS incorporates security, privacy, and child safety requirements from multiple jurisdictions, drawing on existing international standards. By implementing GESS, education bodies and software vendors can ensure their practices align with global expectations while reducing compliance overheads.

One of the primary objectives of GESS is to enhance the cyber safety of the education sector. With the increasing prevalence of digital learning and cloud-based systems, safeguarding student data is of utmost importance. GESS helps protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of student records.

Moreover, GESS serves as a safeguard for student privacy. By adhering to the standard, educational institutions demonstrate their commitment to protecting the personal information of students, fostering trust between schools, students, and their families.

GESS also addresses the need for cyber safety in the education sector. It promotes best practices to mitigate the risks associated with online learning platforms and educational technologies. By implementing standardized controls outlined in GESS, educational institutions can create a secure digital environment for students, protecting them from cybersecurity threats.

Besides data security, student privacy, and cyber safety, GESS has broader implications for the education sector. It encourages cross-sector employment initiatives, promoting diversity within the cyber workforce in education. GESS serves as a stepping stone for safe onboarding of EdTech applications and facilitates collaboration between educational institutions, technology providers, and cybersecurity professionals.

Expanding the National Cyber Workforce through Transnational Education

The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) has developed the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES) to address the growing demand for a larger cyber workforce in the United States. This strategy aims to create more job opportunities in the cyber sector, specifically targeting good-paying, middle-class positions. It also intends to increase diversity within the field, recognizing the importance of embracing talent from various backgrounds.

The NCWES emphasizes the significance of foundational cyber skills and supports alternative pathways to traditional four-year degrees. By promoting skills-based education, it opens doors for individuals who may not have pursued a traditional academic route but possess the necessary skills for this field. This approach not only expands the pool of qualified candidates but also helps address the skills gap in the cyber workforce.

To ensure the successful implementation of the NCWES, collaboration is crucial. The strategy encourages government entities, educators, employers, and workers to work together towards a common goal of expanding and diversifying the cyber workforce. By leveraging the expertise and resources of each stakeholder category, the strategy can effectively drive growth in this sector.

Scaling up cyber education and training initiatives is a key focus of the NCWES. By investing in quality education and providing comprehensive training programs, we can equip the future cyber workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge. This not only strengthens our national security but also contributes to the economic growth of the country, as the demand for cyber professionals continues to rise globally.

John Whitehead