New Approaches in the Education of Software Engineers in the Field of Cybersecurity

doi: 10.32567/hm.2024.4.15

Abstract

This paper presents innovative methodologies for cybersecurity education, with a focus on their application at Subotica Tech – College of Applied Sciences. The study highlights hackathon-based learning (HBL), challenge-based learning (CBL), and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to enhance teaching effectiveness. These approaches are incorporated into professional courses related to the development of web applications and integrated web systems, emphasising practical work and real-world scenarios to better prepare students for industry challenges. The primary objective of this paper is to introduce these novel educational approaches and provide a detailed description of their implementation, underscoring the importance of hands-on experience and student engagement in real-world systems and business environments. The results of the research on the impact of hackathon participation on final exam performance are presented. Additionally, the increasing use of AI tools in software engineering education is explored, with examples of their application. Finally, the paper outlines future research directions based on feedback from the current implementation of these methodologies.

Keywords:

cybersecurity software engineering practical engineering education hackathon challenge-based tasks ai

How to Cite

Zlatko, Čović. (2025). New Approaches in the Education of Software Engineers in the Field of Cybersecurity. Military Engineer, 19(4), 213–232. https://doi.org/10.32567/hm.2024.4.15

References

CHEUNG, Ronald S. – COHEN, Joseph P. – LO, Henry Z. – ELIA, Fabio (2011): Challenge Based Learning in Cybersecurity Education. Proceedings of the International Conference on Security and Management (SAM) The Steering Committee of The World Congress in Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Applied Computing (WorldComp), Athens, 2011, 1–6.

CHUNG, Kevin – COHEN, Julian (2014): Learning Obstacles in the Capture the Flag Model. Proceedings of the 1st USENIX Summit on Gaming, Games, and Gamification in Security Education (3GSE).

ČOVIĆ, Zlatko (2024): Threats and Vulnerabilities in Web Applications and How to Avoid Them. In KOVÁCS, Tünde A. – NYIKES, Zoltán – BEREK, Tamás – DARUKA, Norbert – TÓTH, László (eds.): Critical Infrastructure Protection in the Light of the Armed Conflicts. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 93–103. Online: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47990-8_9

ČOVIĆ, Zlatko – PAPP, Zoltán – MANOJLOVIĆ, Helena – SIMON, János (2022): Hackathon-based Teaching Method in the Training of Software Engineers. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Applied Internet and Information Technologies AIIT, Zrenjanin, 2022, 108–116.

MCDANIEL, Lukas – TALVI, Erik – HAY, Brian (2016): Capture the Flag as Cyber Security Introduction. 2016 49th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS), Koloa, USA, 2016, 5479–5486. Online: https://doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2016.677

OBOT AFFIA, Abasi-amefon – NOLTE, Alexander – MATULEVIČIUS, Raimundas (2022): Integrating Hackathons into an Online Cybersecurity Course. arXiv preprint arXiv:2202.06018. Online: https://doi.org/10.1145/3510456.3514151

OUHBI, Sofia – POMBO, Nuno (2020): Software Engineering Education: Challenges and Perspectives. IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), Porto, Portugal, 2020, 202–209. Online: https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON45650.2020.9125353

OWASP Top 10 (2024). Online: https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/

OWASP API Security Top 10 (2024). Online: https://owasp.org/API-Security/

Serbian Cybersecurity Challenge (2024). Online: https://sajberheroj.rs/en/scc/

ŠVÁBENSKÝ, Valdemar – ČELEDA, Pavel – VYKOPAL, Jan – BRIŠÁKOVÁ, Silvia (2021): Cybersecurity Knowledge and Skills Taught in Capture the Flag Challenges. Computers & Security, 102. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2020.102154

ŠVÁBENSKỲ, Valdemar – VYKOPAL, Jan – CERMAK, Milan – LAŠTOVIČKA, Martin (2018): Enhancing Cybersecurity Skills by Creating Serious Games. Proceedings of the 23rd Annual ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, Larnaca. Online: https://doi.org/10.1145/3197091.3197123

ŽAGAR, Mario – BOSNIĆ, Ivana – ORLIĆ, Marin (2008): Enhancing Software Engineering Education: A Creative Approach. Proceedings of the 2008 international workshop on Software Engineering in East and South Europe (SEESE ’08), New York, 51–58. Online: https://doi.org/10.1145/1370868.1370878