Cybersecurity awareness among female students at Taif University's faculty of computing and information technology

This study investigates the level of student awareness regarding cybersecurity concepts and the methods for achieving cybersecurity within a higher education context. While cybersecurity is a critical component of modern digital literacy, there remains a need to assess how well students comprehend both its foundational concepts and practical applications. This study addresses this gap by examining variations in awareness based on academic degree, specialization, and year of study. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of two domains. The sample comprised 382 students from a college of computers and information technology. The results revealed a high level of awareness of both cybersecurity concepts and strategies for implementation. Statistically significant differences were identified based on academic degree, with higher awareness among female bachelor’s students. Differences were also observed across specializations, favoring students in computer science, information technology, and computer engineering. Additionally, academic year influenced awareness levels, with higher levels reported in the first, third, fourth, and fifth years. The findings emphasize the importance of tailoring cybersecurity education to student demographics and suggest areas for curricular enhancement. Keywords: Awareness; cybersecurity; digital literacy; higher education; student learning