Abstract:

Today, personal computer literacy is essential for college graduates in any career. Alongside proficiency in office software, understanding personal computer security is increasingly important for today’s workforce. It’s increasingly clear that technology security issues aren’t something you can just learn on the job. Recent studies reveal that seven out of ten young adults tend to ignore IT policies, while three out of five don’t feel responsible for protecting their information and devices. In the past, strict IT controls helped limit the impact of poor tech habits.

Further, the rise of smartphones and social media in the last 10 years and artificial intelligence (AI) in the last 2 years have introduced new security challenges. Educational institutions must take the initiative to provide training in personal computer security to ensure students gain the necessary skills to use business software effectively and protect sensitive information and devices. Students play a vital role in these institutions’ networks, making their preparedness for life after college a shared responsibility. Furthermore, students act as representatives of their schools in various professional environments once they graduate. Like businesses, educational institutions should consider regular, PC-based ethical and security training for staff, faculty, and students. For instance, the University of Mount Olive's Computer Security and Applied Computer Science program tackled the challenge of technology and business computer security literacy by launching a new e-learning solution in 2010. This initiative involved creating a tailored, self-paced web-based tutorial focused on digital security awareness, complete with quizzes at the end of each module to reinforce learning and boost retention. As cyber security challenges evolved in 2020 and beyond, this online training tool was updated accordingly. By 2024, with widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), the tutorial underwent another revision to stay current. Incorporating AI had special problems not previously encountered. For cybersecurity training to be truly effective, it should not just be a one-time event or held annually, but rather take place at least twice a year. As students become more adept at following security best practices, their confidence, skill, and engagement with the material improve, ultimately enhancing their progress throughout their undergraduate studies.

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence, AI, education, information technology, organizational change, program quality, professional development, cyber security, workplace competencies.