As mobile computing is now becoming more and more popular, the security threats to mobile applications are also growing explosively. Mobile app flaws and security defects could open doors for hackers to break into them and access sensitive information. Most vulnerabilities should be addressed in the early stage of mobile software development. However, many software development professionals lack awareness of the importance of security vulnerability and the necessary security knowledge and skills at the development stage. The combination of the prevalence of mobile devices and the rapid growth of mobile threats has resulted in a shortage of secure software development professionals. Many schools offer mobile app development courses in computing curriculum; however, secure software development is not yet well represented in most schools' computing curriculum. This paper addresses the needs of authentic and active pedagogical learning materials for SSD and challenges of building Secure Software Development (SSD) capacity through effective, engaging, and investigative approaches. In this paper, we present an innovative authentic and active SSD learning approach through a collection of transferrable learning modules with hands-on companion labs based on the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) recommendations. The preliminary feedback from students is positive. Students have gained hands-on real world SSD learning experiences with Android mobile platform and also greatly promoted self-efficacy and confidence in their mobile SSD learning.
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Enhancing Proactive Control Mobile and Web Software Security Education with Hands-on Labware
While the number of mobile and web applications is growing exponentially, the mobile and web security threat landscape is growing explosively. Malicious malware may attack vulnerable applications and obtain personal or enterprise confidential data anywhere and anytime. Most vulnerabilities should be addressed and fixed during the early stages of software development. However, many software development professionals lack the awareness of the importance of security vulnerabilities and the necessary knowledge and skills at the software development stage. This paper addresses the needs and challenges of the lack of pedagogical materials and real-world learning environment in ProActive Control for Software Security (PASS) through effective, engaging, and investigative authentic learning approaches.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1723578
- PAR ID:
- 10156131
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Proc. of 44th IEEE Conference on Computer, Software and Applications (COMPSAC)
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 2
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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