A Transdisciplinary Approach to Embedding Cybersecurity Across the Curriculum of an Undergraduate Computing Degree Program in South Africa

Industry 5.0, with its focus on human-centered, ethical, and sustainable technology, highlights an increased need for strong cybersecurity to protect interconnected systems. As digital infrastructures evolve to prioritize collaboration between humans and machines, ensuring cybersecurity becomes essential to safeguard both users and the technologies they interact with. As these systems become more integrated, the complexity of cyber threats grows, highlighting the need for cybersecurity education that prepares graduates to tackle these challenges. However, undergraduate computing programs in South Africa often don’t provide enough focus on security topics, leaving many graduates unprepared for industry needs. This paper employs an Educational Design Research methodology to propose a conceptual transdisciplinary decision-making model for integrating cybersecurity education throughout a three-year BSc computing degree program at South Africa’s North-West University (NWU). While this research focuses on NWU’s undergraduate computing curriculum, the model is adaptable and can guide other institutions seeking to embed cybersecurity more broadly. Using the guidance of frameworks like the ACM Computing Curricula 2020 (CC2020), Cybersecurity Curricular Guidelines 2017 (CSEC2017), and Computer Science Curricula 2023 (CS2023), the model introduces key cybersecurity topics, such as cryptography, network security, and secure software development, across various modules from mathematics to programming. This approach ensures students build cybersecurity skills over time which aligns with Industry 5.0’s focus on ethical, human-centered technology. Practical activities like security labs, hackathons, and interdisciplinary projects give students hands-on experience, promoting critical thinking and teamwork across different fields. By making cybersecurity a core part of NWU’s computing curriculum, the decision-making model aims to help address the cybersecurity skills gap in South Africa and produce graduates ready to contribute to a secure digital future.