By:
• Chhuon Kongieng

• November 6, 2024 , 7:15 PM

PHNOM PENH– Experts have called for early integration of cybersecurity lessons into school curriculums, which is essential to helping young people stay safe, tackle hacking and online scams, and adapt to safe digital device habits. 

The topic was raised during a discussion on “Is Cambodia Ready for a Youth-Centered Cybersecurity Law?” organized by the Cambodia Youth Internet Governance Forum 2024 on November 2.

Lay Vathna, senior lecturer and researcher at the Institute of Digital Research and Innovation, said the Education Ministry should consider adding cybersecurity lessons to help students navigate the digital world.

Chhum Sreypich, a second-year cybersecurity student at Cambodia University of Technology and Science (CamTech), shares her insights with Cambodianess after the panel discussion

 “Children as young as 13 or 14 already have their phones. If we wait until they finish high school to teach them about cybersecurity, it will be too late,” Vathna said. 

“Teaching them at the university level isn’t effective either. By then, they may not follow our advice because they are already set in their habits. 

“They might think, ‘I’ve been doing it this way for years without any problems,’ and become careless about cybersecurity.”

Cybersecurity is all practices that protect user’s information, system or account from cyber-attack. 

Yong Chankrosena, a second-year student from the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL) participates in the panel discussion

Ou Phannarith, director of information and communications technology security of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications of Cambodia said young Cambodians can play a crucial role in advancing cybersecurity if they know cybersecurity law and practice fundamentals such as online safety and cyber hygiene.

He said online safety means practices that protect users from online threats such as cyberbullying, scams, and identity theft. These include being careful when sharing personal information and avoiding clicking on unknown links or connecting to unsafe wi-fi networks. 

Cyber hygiene involves habits to prevent cyber-attacks, such as using strong passwords, updating software and backing up data to maintain device security. 

“Youth with fundamental knowledge of cybersecurity are valuable human resources, as they will one day work in service companies or operational companies such as banks and others,” Phannarith said. 

“If they can’t complete their work properly and are hacked by others, not only will they have a problem, but the company will face a crisis, and other customers or users will lose their money and information.” 

He said cybersecurity law aims to enhance users' security by equipping them with advanced technology and clear responsibilities from system operational companies. To create cybersecurity laws, governments, private companies, and civil societies like non-governmental organizations have worked together to prevent cyber-attacks and balance the benefits.

Phannarith said NGOs working closely with youth can convey the concerns and ideas of young people, which were discussed before the law's creation.

Most of the students who took part in the discussion had the same opinion, as they wanted to increase their cybersecurity knowledge and help their family and friends understand cybersecurity.

Young attendees listen attentively as experts and fellow youth share insights and ideas on cybersecurity and its impact on Cambodia's future

Yong Chankrosena, a second-year student at the Institute of Foreign Languages, said, “I want to explore more knowledge related to digital technology, even though I am majoring in education. I also want to share what I learned today with my family and friends.”

Chankrosena said every time he used a mobile phone or computer, he was cautious about the password and avoided access to unknown links and the internet. Still, he wanted to learn more about digital trends and meet the cybersecurity standard.

Chhum Sreypich, a second-year cybersecurity student at Cambodia University of Technology and Science, said she wanted to develop her skills in cybersecurity because her role is crucial in preventing cyber attacks. 

She said that while her role is important, users also play a key part in cybersecurity. She encouraged older and younger people to learn about it because it was not just about their major but about their protection.

Sreypich and Chankrosena said they wanted to see more discussions about digital security from experts. Self-taught students might not be as effective due to the prevalence of misinformation. They agreed that everyone can gain more knowledge about cybersecurity by researching online or participating in discussions on the topic.