Abstract: With advances in various fields of computer science, there is an increased need for cybersecurity professionals. This need calls for accessible cybersecurity education for a wide range of learners. However, in a recent literature review of cybersecurity education researchers found a disconnect between cybersecurity departments' learning outcomes and the needs of industry professionals. Another gap found from this review is the small amount of work done applying educational theories to cybersecurity education that is instead being flooded with tool creation. Furthermore, researchers have found that students have misconceptions about what cybersecurity entails and its important role in the world of technology. In this talk, I discuss my vision for the expansion of cybersecurity concentration at North Carolina State University. I explore possible methods of integration of cybersecurity concepts in computer science courses to expose students to cybersecurity concepts earlier in hopes of encouraging a 'security first' mindset among all students. I also discuss other methods to expand the educational initiatives of the department, including seminars, workshops, and certifications for students.

Short Bio: Isabella White is a computing education researcher at North Carolina State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from North Carolina State University in 2024. She has collaborated with members of the Institute for Advancing Computing Education, CSforAll, and Vanderbilt University. Her previous research focused on collaborative programming environments, creating computer science curriculum, and developing tools for evaluating computer science education landscapes.