International Journal of Information & Digital Security

Browse Journals

Articles

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): International Journal of Information & Digital Security

Digital Gaps and Cyber Risks: Strategies to Ensure Equal Opportunities and Digital Education Security

  • Driss Abbadi
Submitted
November 21, 2025
Published
2025-12-26

Abstract

This research aims to explore strategies for bridging the digital divide that affects equal opportunities in digital education, while ensuring a safe learning environment protected from cyber risks. The study addresses the challenges faced by students in remote and underserved areas in accessing digital resources, along with the growing cybersecurity risks in educational systems. It also seeks to provide technological solutions and educational policies aimed at ensuring the continuity of digital education and protecting the personal data of students and educators. The research relies on a descriptive analytical approach to analyze the impact of digital gaps and cybersecurity risks on the educational process. It also uses a systems approach to study the relationship between improving digital infrastructure and data security. The results show that digital gaps pose a significant challenge to fair access to digital education, while cybersecurity remains a continuous threat to educational institutions, exposing them to risks such as data breaches or cyberattacks. The study also indicates that strategies focusing on improving access to technology and educating students and educators about cybersecurity risks contribute to bridging these gaps and creating a safe learning environment. The research highlights the importance of bridging digital gaps by enhancing digital infrastructure in underserved areas and stresses the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to provide effective technological solutions. It also emphasizes the necessity of implementing advanced security policies to protect personal data and maintain the confidentiality of academic information amidst growing cybersecurity risks.

References

  1. Abbadi, D., &Lachkar, A. (2024).Cyber threats in the age of artificial intelligence: Exploiting advanced technologies and strengthening cybersecurity. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 13(01), 2576–2588.Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2024.13.1.1961
  2. Abrahams, et al., (2024). Cybersecurity awareness and education programs: A review of employee engagement and accountability. Computer Science & IT Research Journal, 5(1), 100-119. https://doi.org/10.51594/csitrj.v5i1.708
  3. Adam, T. (2025). Towards more justice-oriented digital education. In B. Bachmann & A. Sander (Eds.), Short informative paper. The European Digital Education Hub (EDEH). https://www.daad-brussels.eu/files/2025/02/Justice-Oriented-Digital-Education.pdf
  4. Adhikari, J., Mathrani, A., & Scogings, C. (2016). Bring Your Own Devices classroom: Exploring the issue of digital divide in the teaching and learning contexts. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 13(4), 323-343. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-04-2016-0007
  5. Akhyadov, E. S.-M., et al., (2019). Digital economy: Investing in digital learning technologies. International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology, 9(1), 6570-6576. https://doi.org/10.35940/ijeat.A1829.109119.
  6. Ally, M. (2008).Foundations of educational theory for online learning.In T. Anderson (Ed.).The theory and practice of online learning (pp.15-44).Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University Press. Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/24m7ach7
  7. Alsaadi, A. H., & Bamasoud, D. M. (2021). Blockchain technology in education system. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 12(5). https://doi.org/10.14569/IJACSA.2021.0120585.
  8. Arishi, A. et al., (2024). Cybersecurity awareness in schools: A systematic review of practices, challenges, and target audiences. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 15(12), 467.
  9. Azhagiri, M., et al. (2015). Intrusion detection and prevention system: Technologies and challenges. International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 10(87), 1.Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/mrya8zak
  10. Bada, M., et al., (2015). Cyber security awareness campaigns: Why do they fail to change behaviour? In Proceedings of the International Conference on Cyber Security for Sustainable Society. Retrieved from:https://tinyurl.com/3txdp5ss
  11. Barlet, G., (2024, July 18). K-12 Cybersecurity: Why federal-education partnerships are critical for cybersecurity. Illumio. Retrieved from:https://tinyurl.com/43z947na
  12. Chin, K., (2024, November 18). How colleges & universities can prevent data breaches. Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/3yjft9xu
  13. CISA. (n.d.). Educational institutions. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. https://www.cisa.gov/audiences/educational-institutions
  14. DATUREX GmbH., (2024, August 7). Data protection in education: Protecting student and teacher data. Privacy. Retrieved from:https://tinyurl.com/tttync87
  15. DiMaggio, P., &Hargittai, E., (2001). From the “digital divide” to “digital inequality”: Studying internet use as penetration increases. Princeton University, 1–39, retrieved from:https://tinyurl.com/mj95re2n
  16. Hilbert, M. (2015). Digital Divide(s). In The International Encyclopedia of Digital Communication and Society. (pp. 1-9). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118767771.wbiedcs012
  17. Igbokwe, I. C. (2024). Cyber security in the era of digitalization: Implications for educational management. UNIZIK Journal of Educational Research and Policy Studies, 6(2), 71-77. https://tinyurl.com/3bpz8a7d
  18. James, S. (2025, February 14). Digital transformation in education. Education Walkthrough. https://educationwalkthrough.com/digital-transformation-in-education/
  19. Jawaid, S. A., (2023).Cybersecurity threats to educational institutes: A growing concern for the new era of cybersecurity. International Journal of Data Science and Big Data Analytics, 2(2), 11-17. https://doi.org/10.51483/IJDSBDA.2.2.2022.11-17
  20. Jelen, S., (2024, August 8). Education sector common breaches and cyber threats.Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/46a4uncb
  21. Khader, M., et al., (2021).Cybersecurity Awareness Framework for Academia.Information, 12(10), 417, pp. 1-2. Retrieved from:https://doi.org/10.3390/info12100417
  22. Kifaru, F., Kavuta, K., &Semlambo, A. A., (2023). Assessment of the impacts of cyber security on student information management systems: A case of Ruaha Catholic University. The Journal of Information Technology and Innovation, 3(1).Retrieved from:https://doi.org/10.59645/tji.v3i1.127.
  23. Kruhlov, V., et al., (2019).Public-private partnership in cybersecurity.Conference Paper. Retrieved from:https://tinyurl.com/2snertm2
  24. Liotta, L. A., (2023). Digitalization and social inclusion: Bridging the digital divide in underprivileged communities. Global International Journal of Innovative Research, 1(1), 7-14. Retrieved from:https://doi.org/10.59613/global.v1i1.2
  25. Matsieli, M., &Mutula, S., (2024). COVID-19 and digital transformation in higher education institutions: Towards inclusive and equitable access to quality education. Education Sciences, 14(8), 819.Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14080819
  26. Mouheb, D., et al., (2019). Cybersecurity curriculum design: A survey. In Transactions on Edutainment XV (Lecture Notes in Computer Science). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-59351-6_9
  27. Okafor, U. O., et al. (n.d.).Impact of digital divide on learning. Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze. https://www.fcetumunze.edu.ng/publications
  28. OECD. (2019). The Future of Education and Skills: Education 2030. OECD Publishing, Retreived from: https://tinyurl.com/4n9zmftv
  29. OECD. (2021). OECD digital education outlook 2021: Pushing the frontiers with artificial intelligence, blockchain, and robots. OECD Publishing. retreivedfrom:https://doi.org/10.1787/589b283f-en
  30. Rohman, H., et al. (2022).Collaboration of ministries/institutions and the private sector in handling cyber threats through the establishment of Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT).Technium Social Sciences Journal, 38, 87-102. Retrieved from:https://www.techniumscience.com
  31. Selwyn, N. (2016).Education and Technology: Key Issues and Debates. Bloomsbury Publishing.
  32. Smith, R. F., (2023, August 29). The digital divide in education: Navigating learning inequities. Retrieved from:https://tinyurl.com/3mpur7z7
  33. Sood, K., et al. (Eds.). (2022). Blockchain technology in corporate governance: Transforming business and industries. Wiley.
  34. Tahmasebi, F. (2023). The digital divide: A qualitative study of technology access in rural communities. AI and Tech in Behavioral and Social Sciences, 1(2), Serial Number 2. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aitech.1.2.6
  35. Ucar, A., (2024, June 13). The critical importance of cybersecurity awareness training.LinkedIn, retreived from: https://tinyurl.com/2bnktk2h
  36. UNESCO. (2020). Education: From disruption to recovery. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.Retrieved from :https://tinyurl.com/3fe2jkxf
  37. UNESCO. (2022). Minding the data: Protecting learners' privacy and security. https://doi.org/10.54675/NNAA4843. ISBN 978-92-3-100525-1.
  38. UNESCO. (2023). Global Education Monitoring Report 2023: Technology in education – A tool on whose terms? Paris, UNESCO. https://doi.org/10.54676/UZQV8501
  39. Uzelac, A., &Cvjetièanin, B. (Eds.). (2008). Digital culture: The changing dynamics. Institute for International Relations. UNESCO-BRESCE.
  40. Van Dijk, J. A. G. M., (n.d.).Digital divide: Impact of access (p. 1). University of Twente, Netherlands. Retrieved from:https://tinyurl.com/2v6cvmhj
  41. Walsh, C., et al., (2020). A public-private partnership to transform online education through high levels of academic student support. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 36(5), 30-45. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.6107
  42. Yankson, B., et al. (2024). The role of industry-academia partnerships can play in cybersecurity: Exploring collaborative approaches to address cybercrime. International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security, 19(1), 26-33. https://doi.org/10.34190/iccws.19.1.2169.
  43. Williamson, J., & Curran, K., (2021).The role of multi-factor authentication for modern day security.Semiconductor Science and Information Devices, 3(1), 16.Retrieved from:https://doi.org/10.30564/ssid.v3i1.3152
  44. Younis, M., & Al-Gharib, S. (2021). The digital divide in higher education: A socio-cultural study from an educational perspective on students of the Faculty of Education at Tanta University. Journal of Scientific Research in Education, 22(3), 30. https://doi.org/10.21608/jsre.2021.59542.1258. [translated from Arabic]
  45. Younus, M., et al, (2024). Public-private collaboration to overcome the digital divide in digital transformation of government. Digital Zone Jurnal Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.31849/digitalzone.v15i1.17027
  46. Younus, Z. S., &Alanezi, M., (2023). A survey on network security monitoring: Tools and functionalities. Mustansiriyah Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 1(2), 60.Retrieved from:https://doi.org/10.47831/mjpas.v1i2.33

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.