The importance of cybersecurity in education.

Esteban Pérez, Service Manager Isbel.

He holds a degree in Electronics from the Universidad ORT Uruguay and a Master's in Cybersecurity from the Universitat de Barcelona.

With nearly 10 years of experience in various roles at Isbel, Esteban returned to the Quantik team in 2023. With over 15 years of experience, he has led technical teams in telecommunications, systems, and information security.

In a world where technology is omnipresent and generative artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, I believe it is essential to reflect on the importance of cybersecurity in the formal education of children and adolescents. As experienced professionals in the field of cybersecurity, we must be aware that we are shaping the future of a generation that is growing up immersed in a digital environment.

Today’s children and teenagers, known as digital natives, are surrounded by electronic devices and online platforms from an increasingly young age. While their interaction with technology is innate, do they truly understand the risks associated with it? In my experience, except for exceptional cases, awareness of these risks is still far from complete.

New technologies, new risks.

In the current context, one of the most relevant phenomena is deepfake, a technique that allows the creation of fake videos in an extremely convincing way by manipulating images and audio. Although this technique has numerous positive applications in various industries, such as lip-syncing in dubbing, restoring old audiovisual material, and creating "fun" educational content, it also raises serious concerns. For example, it could be used to spread false information or manipulate the public's perception of events and personalities, creating confusion and chaos in society.

Generative artificial intelligence (e.g., in content recommendation systems) enhances the user experience by offering personalized recommendations, but it also raises dilemmas regarding privacy and the security of personal data.

Cybersecurity education

Formal education, just like education at home, plays a crucial role in preparing young people to face all kinds of challenges. But should we include information security awareness as a relevant topic? Introducing cybersecurity concepts into the school curriculum not only provides students with the necessary knowledge but also fosters a culture of responsibility and online caution.

There are many areas where formal education can make a difference. Learning how to create secure passwords or understanding the risks of sharing personal information online can have a significant impact.

It is essential to create the necessary tools for educators to use interactive and practical teaching methods that engage students in learning about cybersecurity. Activities such as cyberattack simulations and problem-solving exercises can help young people better understand the risks of online threats.

At an early age and in later life

Cybersecurity awareness is essential in the formal education of children and adolescents. With the growing presence of technology and generative artificial intelligence in our lives, we have the responsibility to equip future generations with the necessary skills to protect themselves in the digital world. By doing so, we are not only safeguarding their security and privacy but also building a safer and more resilient future for everyone.

We must not forget about grandparents either! Let's talk, raise awareness, and teach; our actions are key to ensuring they don't feel unprotected in this digital world.