Research in Education: Case Cybersecurity Project
Ilkka Tikanmäki, Jyri Rajamäki · European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies · 2025
This action research investigates the integration of research into education through the Cybersecurity ProjectCourse at Laurea University of Applied Sciences. The research period spans from spring 2022 to autumn 2024, during whichthe course produced research and development material for the DYNAMO project. The course, designed for bachelor-levelstudents consists of 5 credits, and is aimed at preparing students with essential research skills in safety, security, riskmanagement, and business information technology (cybersecurity). The study focuses on students' development in applyingcybersecurity competence, project management, risk assessment, risk control, and communication skills. The research isfocused on providing insights that can be used to optimise future educational programs in cybersecurity and riskmanagement. The course utilises a structured module-based methodology to assess the efficiency of the study unit and itspotential to influence the design of future security and risk management training programs. The learning platform, CANVAS,enhances students' learning experiences using various tools. This study focuses on evaluating the knowledge andcontributions from the DYNAMO project. Collaboration between cybersecurity students and research, development, andinnovation partners is enhanced through action research principles and empirical observation. The tasks in the course's sixmodules and orientation module help students develop their technical and soft skills. The findings show that students had apositive experience using platforms like Microsoft Teams for project management. Despite some finding the course moretheoretical than expected, they valued the focus on writing scientific articles and understanding governance models. Thecourse improved students' project management, risk assessment, and ethical considerations in cybersecurity, and led to thecreation of several research papers for the DYNAMO project, offering valuable insights into cybersecurity governance,awareness, and threat intelligence. The study concludes that integrating research into cybersecurity education fosters aresearch culture, enhances flexibility, and prepares students for future projects. Collaboration with companies is crucial foraddressing cybersecurity challenges. The course's structured approach and multi-sensory learning techniques provide anenjoyable experience, equipping students with valuable professional skills. These findings highlight the importance ofincluding real-life research projects in the curriculum to improve students' learning and professional competence incybersecurity.