KUWAIT CITY, Oct 28: Mona Salem, the general supervisor of IT at the Ministry of Education, has announced the inclusion of cyber security in the ministry’s educational curriculum starting this academic year. This subject will be gradually extended to other secondary grades next year.

Salem said the initiative is part of a larger effort to modernize the curriculum. Computer science teachers will be responsible for teaching the new content, while department heads and supervisors are undergoing training on the cybersecurity program, which will be completed by the end of the semester. After this training, Heads will share the syllabus with their respective teachers.

Salem noted that there are ongoing online discussions with supervisors to track curriculum implementation, reinforcing the ministry’s commitment to improving educational resources.

In addition, the ministry, together with the National Cyber ​​Security Center, introduced the “Kuwait Cybersecurity Heroes” initiative, which aims to provide middle school and high school. students from Kuwait with the necessary skills for programming and cyber security. So far, 210 students have enrolled, with the aim of preparing them for careers in a fast-growing industry and improving their ability to tackle digital security challenges.

The updated curriculum will equip tenth graders with vital knowledge in cybersecurity and Python programming, essential for various professions, particularly in the technology sector. Salem pointed out that the relevance of these fields is expected to increase, allowing students to help protect the nation against cyber threats.

Cyber ​​security includes practices designed to protect systems and data from unauthorized access. It involves multiple strategies and technologies aimed at minimizing the risk of cyber attacks and protecting sensitive information. The key principles of cybersecurity are confidentiality, integrity, and availability, which together help institutions maintain secure access to data, ensure accuracy, and provide timely availability to authorized users.

The ministry also addressed the serious implications of data breaches, such as identity theft and financial losses, stressing the need for confidentiality in protecting sensitive information. Integrity ensures that digital information remains accurate and unaltered, while availability ensures that data and resources can be accessed when needed, protecting against interruptions.

Furthermore, the ministry discussed significant cybersecurity applications, particularly authentication. This adds layers of security by requiring various forms of identity verification, including biometrics like fingerprints and facial recognition. Such measures are becoming commonplace in modern devices, increasing the security of personal data.

The curriculum will also cover critical cybersecurity practices, including:

Strong passwords: Using unique and complex passwords for online accounts.

Authentication: Enable two-factor or multi-factor authentication whenever possible.

Device protection: Using antivirus and anti-malware programs, regularly updating software, and applying strong encryption.

Anti-phishing: Avoid links or attachments from unknown sources to prevent data breaches.