Date of Award

Spring 5-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Cyber Defense (PhDCD)

First Advisor

Edward Dennis

Second Advisor

Austin O'Brien

Third Advisor

Viki Johnson

Abstract

Cybercrime evolves over time to create significant dangers that affect individuals of all ages. The senior population faces extraordinary risk from cybercriminals who specifically target them. The Senior Citizen Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program emerged as a response to the increasing security concern. The initiative delivers specialized training to older adults between 60 and 90 years old to teach them essential digital threat protection skills. The research drew its motivation from individual experiences combined with a goal to defend aging family members through video-based instructional teaching of essential cybersecurity principles. The training program includes six important cybersecurity concepts: Social Network Attacks, Password Security, Phishing, Mobile Security, Vishing/Pretexting, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). These topics are important for understanding and implementing effective cybersecurity awareness. The participants watched an educational video while taking surveys at the beginning and end of the training sessions.

The research findings show that senior participants experienced quantifiable growth in their understanding of cybersecurity principles. The research-based program delivers benefits to both the researcher's family members and provides a replicable framework for reaching more community members. The research establishes a safer online environment by reducing digital security risks for older adults which benefits everyone.

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