Decentering the Human: A Posthuman Approach to Cybersecurity Education

A theoretical examination of cybersecurity education through a posthuman lens, challenging traditional human-centric pedagogical models.
Research Papers
Cybersecurity Education
Posthuman Theory
Conference Proceedings
Author
Affiliation
Published

Friday, December 13, 2024

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Abstract

This paper explores the application of posthuman theory to cybersecurity education, proposing a fundamental shift away from human-centric pedagogical models. By examining the complex interrelationships between human learners, technological systems, and cybersecurity tools, the study offers novel theoretical frameworks for understanding and implementing cybersecurity education in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape.

Research Significance

This paper makes several key theoretical contributions to cybersecurity education:

  1. Challenges traditional human-centric approaches to cybersecurity pedagogy
  2. Proposes a posthuman theoretical framework for understanding cybersecurity learning
  3. Examines the role of non-human actors in cybersecurity education
  4. Offers practical implications for curriculum design and pedagogical practice

Theoretical Framework

The study employs posthuman theory to: - Deconstruct traditional anthropocentric assumptions in cybersecurity education - Examine the agency of technological systems in learning processes - Explore the distributed nature of cybersecurity knowledge and practice - Reconceptualize the relationship between human learners and security tools

Key Arguments

The research advances several important arguments about cybersecurity education:

  1. Traditional human-centric approaches may limit our understanding of cybersecurity learning
  2. Non-human actors play crucial roles in the educational process
  3. Effective cybersecurity education requires recognition of distributed agency
  4. Pedagogical models should reflect the interconnected nature of cyber-physical systems

Implications for Practice

The theoretical framework developed in this paper suggests several practical implications:

  • Curriculum design should acknowledge the agency of technological systems
  • Pedagogical approaches should embrace human-technology partnerships
  • Assessment methods should consider distributed knowledge and skills
  • Educational tools should be viewed as co-agents in the learning process

Access the Full Paper

The complete paper is available by contacting me or through IEEE Xplore or can be accessed via DOI: 10.1109/CARS61786.2024.10778862

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Citation

BibTeX citation:
@inproceedings{straight2024,
  author = {Straight, Ryan},
  publisher = {IEEE},
  title = {Decentering the {Human:} {A} {Posthuman} {Approach} to
    {Cybersecurity} {Education}},
  booktitle = {2024 Cyber Awareness and Research Symposium (CARS)},
  pages = {1-6},
  date = {2024},
  url = {https://ryanstraight.com/research/2024-12-13-decentering-human-posthuman-approach/},
  doi = {10.1109/CARS61786.2024.10778862},
  langid = {en},
  abstract = {This paper explores the application of posthuman theory to
    cybersecurity education, proposing a fundamental shift away from
    human-centric pedagogical models. By examining the complex
    interrelationships between human learners, technological systems,
    and cybersecurity tools, the study offers novel theoretical
    frameworks for understanding and implementing cybersecurity
    education in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape.}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
Straight, Ryan. 2024. “Decentering the Human: A Posthuman Approach to Cybersecurity Education.” In 2024 Cyber Awareness and Research Symposium (CARS), 1–6. IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/CARS61786.2024.10778862.