Cybersecurity Lessons to Be Introduced in Russian Schools and Universities
The Russian Ministry of Finance, together with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, is working on introducing cybersecurity lessons into the curricula of schools and universities. This was announced by Osman Kabaloev, Deputy Director of the Financial Policy Department at the Ministry of Finance. The ministry’s press service explained that this need has arisen due to the growth of online operations in the financial sector, which, while offering benefits to consumers, has also led to an increase in fraudulent activities using digital technologies.
As a result, special attention is being given to educational efforts in the field of cybersecurity, the Ministry of Finance emphasized. The agency clarified that the anti-fraud action plan and measures to counter social engineering include the development of educational materials for young citizens.
“To promote the fight against financial fraud among children and students, materials are being developed for lessons on cyber literacy and cybersecurity. The goal is not only to explain the main schemes used by scammers, but also to practice, in a game-based format, the skills needed to quickly and consciously recognize illegal activities in the financial market,” the Ministry of Finance told Izvestia.
The training is planned to cover the following areas:
- Cyber technologies in our daily lives
- Ways to protect personal data
- Methods to counter social engineering
- Main types of fraud, including phishing, vishing, and dropper schemes
- Basic rules for staying safe in cyberspace
Special attention will be given to preventing teenagers from being drawn into “dropper” schemes, especially since banks have recently increased the issuance of cards to young people aged 14 and older. Scammers often use teenagers’ bank cards to withdraw stolen funds, taking advantage of their inexperience and offering small payments or services in return. This year, the Ministry of Internal Affairs submitted a bill to the government proposing criminal liability for participation in dropper schemes.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the developed materials are expected to be sent to educational institutions during the current academic year. At the same time, teachers will be trained to educate children and students about cybersecurity.