2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This study explores the impact of a six-week cybersecurity course on undergraduate students' problem-solving approaches to complex challenges, employing interactive robotic swarm simulations as a practical testbed. While the exact algorithm implementation is beyond the scope of this experiment, it serves as a proof of concept. In this experiment, inspired by ants' chemical communication (CHC) profiles for colony member identification, the simulations utilize LED lights and a "handshake" algorithm, allowing robots to recognize "friendly" agents. This innovative approach aims to assess how formal education in cybersecurity bolsters students' analytical thinking and strategic development capabilities.
Conducted in two phases, the research first involves students at the end of a cybersecurity Research Experience for Undergraduates summer program and then engages high-performing students from a university-affiliated academic club without formal training. This comparative analysis evaluates the educational impact of cybersecurity training on their practical problem-solving skills.
Participants observed the robotic swarm, designed to emulate biological communication patterns, analyzing its strategies without prior briefing. Using pre- and post-experiment surveys, along with strategic proposal submissions from the students, the study captures shifts in students' understanding and strategic thinking in cybersecurity. A qualitative analysis of these submissions and responses isolates the educational influences of the course on students' perceptions and abilities.
Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates binary and numerical assessment of key concepts and strategies with thematic analysis of free responses. We aim to capture both explicit knowledge and the conceptual frameworks guiding students' problem-solving strategies. Findings indicate that formal cybersecurity training enriches both theoretical knowledge and practical application skills, evidenced by advanced strategic proposals and a deeper understanding of cybersecurity concepts. This is despite the exercise centering around a new algorithm neither group was exposed to in their studies.
This article provides insights into how cybersecurity education shapes students' approaches to cybersecurity challenges, highlighting both their explicit knowledge and conceptual thinking. The study contributes to the discussion on preparing students for the cybersecurity landscape's evolving challenges, advocating for the inclusion of experiential learning in cybersecurity education. It underscores the importance of developing programs that enhance students' real-world problem-solving abilities, aiming to equip them with the skills necessary to navigate and protect against digital threats effectively.