‘Education’ integrates cybersecurity concepts into curricula to combat phishing
Ministry of Education aims to boost students’ digital awareness by including phishing and cyberattack concepts in school curricula, following recommendations from the National Cyber Security Center.
The Ministry of Education has begun implementing a new initiative to incorporate cybersecurity awareness—particularly the dangers of phishing, cyberattacks, and hacking—into school curricula starting this academic year.
The move follows a recommendation by the National Cyber Security Center and aims to build a generation capable of safely navigating the digital world while understanding its potential risks.
According to an educational report, the Ministry has for years worked through technical computer departments in educational districts to raise awareness among students about digital threats.
The new effort, however, formalizes and expands this awareness into structured lessons covering essential cybersecurity concepts.
The report reviewed key topics that will be included in the updated curriculum, such as the definition of cybersecurity, the transmission of information, how cyberattacks occur, the role of hackers, how malware spreads, types of phishing, and protective measures. Students will also learn to identify warning signs that a device may have been hacked and the steps to take if they fall victim to online scams.
Cybersecurity, the report explained, is the process of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks designed to steal or destroy data, extort users, or disrupt operations.
Cyberattacks typically target companies, schools, hospitals, banks, governments, and individuals, leading to financial losses, data breaches, and reputational harm.
A key component of the new material focuses on phishing—a method of fraud in which attackers impersonate trusted entities through email or messages to steal personal or financial information. The curriculum will teach students how to recognize suspicious signs such as poor grammar, mismatched email domains, unusual attachments, or links from unknown senders.
To prevent such attacks, students will be trained in best practices such as verifying messages before opening them, avoiding suspicious links, using strong passwords or biometric authentication, and regularly updating software.
The lessons also highlight the importance of not granting unnecessary app permissions, maintaining data confidentiality, and performing regular backups.
The report outlined five signs that may indicate a hacked device: applications opening or closing automatically, random pop-up ads, warnings about full memory, rapid battery drain, and the appearance of unfamiliar applications.
In the event of a phishing attempt, recommended responses include disconnecting from the internet, avoiding the creation of backups that may contain infected data, and reporting incidents to information security teams.
In a letter to Education Minister Dr. Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, Abeer Al-Awadhi, Director of the National Cyber Security Center, affirmed the center’s full support for the initiative. She noted that the center seeks to build an integrated educational framework that enhances cybersecurity awareness nationwide.
Al-Awadhi also recommended that cybersecurity education be included in the ministry’s broader curriculum development plan, emphasizing its strategic role in preparing a generation that is both aware of digital risks and proficient in technological tools.
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