Impact Assessment of Cyberverse Foundation’s Cyber Security School Hygiene Program in Mysuru District, Karnataka
The digital age plays a pivotal role in students' education and recreation, yet it also exposes them to various cyber threats. Cybersecurity hygiene, is as same as physical hygiene, involves daily practices that protect individuals and their information online from malware, hacking, and scams. Recognizing the importance of this skill, the Cyberverse Foundation launched the Cyber Security School Hygiene Program in Mysuru District, Karnataka. This program aims to enhance students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards safely navigating the online world.
The Cyber Security School Hygiene Program by the Cyberverse Foundation focuses on bolstering cybersecurity awareness among students. This comprehensive impact assessment evaluates the program's effectiveness through a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. A significant element of the quantitative analysis was an awareness assessment test designed for students. This test measured changes in students' awareness of cybercrime after participating in the program and solicited their feedback on the training. By comparing the knowledge levels and attitudes towards cybersecurity before and after the intervention, the program's impact was quantified. A control group of students from a non-participating school was included to isolate the specific impacts of the program on cybersecurity awareness and practices. In total, 372 randomly selected students from intervention schools and 58 students from the control group participated in the awareness assessment. Qualitative data was gathered through interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with key stakeholders, including teachers, headteachers, and project team members. These interviews provided insights into the program's effectiveness and its impact on stakeholders' cybersecurity behaviors. FGDs offered deeper perspectives on participants' experiences, changes in their online behaviors, and overall perceptions of the program. Open-ended questions facilitated rich discussions, allowing students to share their thoughts and experiences in detail.
The quantitative analysis revealed significant improvements in students' cybersecurity awareness and behaviors. The comparison of scores, percentage increases, and confidence intervals from the awareness assessment test results demonstrated the program's effectiveness. The qualitative analysis identified common themes, such as changes in online behavior, the effectiveness of the program, and areas for improvement.
The analytical approach of combining numerical data with personal insights ensured a robust assessment of the Cyber Security School Hygiene Program's impact. The program successfully increased students' awareness and understanding of cybersecurity, equipping them with essential skills to navigate the digital world more securely. This assessment highlights the program's effectiveness and provides valuable insights for future directions.
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