Part Three The Strategy 5. Goal: Cyber security Awareness and Education on traditional modes of education but also on experimentation of innovative ways of their conduct43. From a younger generation perspective, Action 2 Empowering the young through a safer Internet - of Digital Malta states that “Digital Citizenship will become part of the National Education Curriculum, to equip children and youths with the abilities to interact and use the Internet safely and intelligently. Parents and carers will be involved together with educators and youth workers. This action will stimulate the production of creative online content, empower the younger generation and help create a safer environment. With the support of competent authorities this measure will help combat cyber child abuse and exploitation”. i. Encourage cyber security education and training A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Unfortunately, within the realm of cyber security, weakest link could, more often than not, be traced to the human factor. The behavioural and educational aspect of cyber security cannot thus be discounted. It is therefore of tantamount importance to ensure a rigorous and ongoing educational and training exercise that targets both the current workforce as well as the younger student generation This measure thus primarily entials: • Further recognition of the need for cyber security skills and competencies • Academic and training programmes designed to consolidate cyber security expertise • The review of existing curricula that focusses on cyber security along with ICT and media competencies. Within the current cyber security scenario, there appear to be related awareness campaigns, as well as curricular–related plans and developments in schools. The imparting of cyber security awareness in schools in particular calls for its sustainability in the long term, also keeping in view of related European Union direction to Member States with respect to teaching online safety in schools44. It also calls for consideration of a holistic perspective in the process, such as through: Action 60 - Building national capacity in specialist skill sets - of Digital Malta states Government’s commitment, through educational institutions and industry to support the creation of specialist educational pathways, addressing labour market requirements and to develop the curriculum and provide technical materials. Cyber security expertise also needs to be seen within the context of such initiative. Specialist cyber-security related education and training is to be actively considered in areas such as those related to cybercrime41. • A focus on basic cyber hygiene45 and protection of personal data • A sound understanding by students of the concepts behind Information and Communication technologies being used and their potential vulnerabilities and risks, apart from the opportunities that they offer46. This includes the proper handling and use of the technologies being applied for interaction Cyber security related training and certification programmes are to be further encouraged, as an opportunity to effectively increase security level42 of organisations and maintaining such increased level of security in the long term. Prior and post assessment of such programmes may serve as one way of ensuring their effectiveness. • Ensuring cyber related training for all teachers • Ensuring effective engagement, participation and support of all school management on cyber security education and awareness • Seeking further ways to enage parents/ guardians of students in learning on cyber security related matters However, consideration should also be taken that such programmes may not necessarily focus only 24 MALTA CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY 2016