Technology and Innovation Commons^™

Innovations And Applications Of Virtual Private Networks And Sustainable Security In Society 5.0 Libraries, Stella Chinnaya Nduka Dr., Adeyinka Tella Prof, Petros Dlamini Dr

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

In order to improve digital resilience, privacy, and access equity in contemporary library environments, this study investigates the role of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in fostering sustainable cybersecurity within the framework of Society 5.0 libraries. It does this by looking at the latest developments, applications, difficulties, moral dilemmas, and tactical methods associated with VPN deployment. Using peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, white papers, and policy documents published between 2010 and 2024, a methodical approach to literature review was used. The literature that bridges the fields of cybersecurity, library science, and Society 5.0 concepts was the main focus of the review. …

Adopting Artificial Intelligence: Cross-Sector Analysis Of Ai Adoption Risks, Brandon Saari, Yona Berger, Yanett Munoz, Alex Agnick, Paul Wagner, Robert J. Honomichl

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly being adopted across public and private sectors. This offers significant gains in efficiency, decision making, and access to information. At the same time, AI introduces complex risks related to cybersecurity, privacy, bias, transparency, accountability, and equity that existing governance and security frameworks do not fully address. This paper presents a cross-sector literature review and comparative analysis of AI adoption risks and mitigation strategies across four critical domains: the federal government, libraries, K–12 education, and healthcare. Drawing on peer-reviewed research, institutional frameworks, and policy guidance, the study identifies sector-specific challenges alongside shared systemic gaps, including insufficient …

Columnas: The Honors Program Newsletter At Bentley University, Amanda Li, Wilson Jan, Michael Raphael, Alexandra Rieckehoff, Karina Wu, Michael Shehata, Nilufar Noorian, Eloise Weintraub

Honors Program

INSIDE THE MODERN WORLD

Page 2: Stepping Out by Amanda Li

Page 3: Inside the Corporate Slop Bowl by Wilson Jan

Page 4: The Silencing: An Evaluation of the Global Attacks on the Right to Protest by Michael Raphael

THE SOUND OF CHANGE

Page 5: The Social, Cultural, and Economic Impact of Bad Bunny by Alexandra Rieckehoff

Page 6: Streaming Changed Music, But Is It Fair to Artists? by Karina Wu

Page 7: Feeling the Music: How Haptic Wearables Are Changing the Way We Experience Sound by Michael Shehata

SHIFTING SYSTEMS

Page 8: The Story Behind Davos, One of the …

Enhancing Introductory Cybersecurity Learning: A Design-Based Research Case Study, Manny Niri Dr.

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

This study employs a design-based research (DBR) framework to examine the impact of a comprehensive curriculum redesign in an introductory Foundations of Security module for undergraduate students in computing and cybersecurity at a UK public university between 2019 and 2025. The redesign aimed to enhance student learning, engagement, and critical thinking through the embodiment of evidence-based pedagogical strategies, including flipped classroom delivery, blended learning, gamified practical exercises, repeated low-stakes mock assessments, and structured problem-solving activities. Student feedback, assessment outcomes, attendance records, and faculty reflections were analysed to evaluate the effectiveness of the redesign. The results indicate substantial improvements in student …

Enhancing Cyber Hygiene Among Communities Through Experiential Cyber-Security Awareness Programs, Dr Atul Bamrara, Partha Roy, Vishwanath Gargote, Khandu Thungon

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Human error remains the most frequently exploited vulnerability in the cyber-security ecosystem. Despite substantial investments in technical safeguards, cybercriminals increasingly rely on social engineering, misinformation, and emotionally manipulative tactics to compromise users. This study examines behavioral changes among participants who underwent structured cyber-security workshops addressing both conventional cyber hygiene practices and emerging digital threats. The training modules covered digital arrest scams, identity theft, sextortion, fake technical support fraud, fake social media profiles, online gaming related risks, and deep fake manipulation. The workshops were designed using interactive simulations, real world case studies, and hands on problem based exercises, with the explicit …

Cybersecurity In Higher Education Institutions: Awareness, Policy, And Experience On Employee Behaviour, Abdullahi Abiodun Yusuf, Adriana A. Steyn

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The digital transformation of higher education institutions (HEIs) has introduced unprecedented connectivity and operational efficiency, but it has also heightened their exposure to cyber threats. South African HEIs, in particular, face increasing vulnerability due to their reliance on technology, openness, and diverse user communities. This study examines the influence of the institutional cybersecurity environment on employee cybersecurity-compliant behaviour (CCB), emphasising the critical roles of awareness, policy engagement, and experience. Drawing on Protection Motivation Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour, a conceptual model was developed to explore how cybersecurity awareness, policy familiarity, and prior experience shape employees’ attitudes, subjective norms, …

Cyber Science Education Meets Healthcare Technology, Angela Spencer

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The research investigates how cyber science education combines with healthcare technology during the digital age to resolve a fundamental research gap in these two advancing areas. A combined approach utilizing extensive surveys and detailed interviews evaluates the functionality of learning platforms as well as cybersecurity measures and potential uses of emerging virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tools to improve both educational and clinical environments. The research document describes its methodologies thoroughly while. The research documents multiple quantitative and qualitative results before performing its analysis, which leads to strategy development for digit. The researchers worked to find ways that …

Integrating Adversarial Scenarios Into Llm Security Labs: An Experience Report On A Hands-On Approach, Dominic A. Wilson

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

This paper presents an exploratory case study detailed as a pedagogical experience report on integrating adversarial Large Language Model (LLM) scenarios into a graduate cybersecurity curriculum. In addition to prompt injection, sophisticated techniques such as jailbreaking and model inversion pose emerging threats that traditional computer security curricula often lack. We present the design and implementation of a structured, hands-on module addressing this gap, utilizing a custom Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) platform with local open-source LLMs. A cohort of 16 graduate students participated in this two-week pilot module, engaging in "red team" activities to actively exploit model alignment and privacy vulnerabilities. The …

Part Ii: Industrial Information Integration Review 2020-2025, Jinzhi Li

Information Technology & Decision Sciences Faculty Publications

Industrial Information Integration Engineering (IIIE) has become increasingly essential for improving operational efficiency and harmonizing heterogeneous industrial systems through advanced digital integration approaches. Fueled by rapid advancements in Industry 4.0 technologies—including digital twins, artificial intelligence, immersive interfaces, and IoT infrastructures—IIIE is substantially transforming traditional enterprise architecture and integration frameworks. This systematic review synthesizes recent developments and emerging trends, with particular attention to the accelerating adoption of digital twins and the deepening convergence between operational technologies (OT) and information technologies (IT) across multiple sectors. While notable progress has been made, significant challenges persist, especially in developing resilient integration architectures and fully …

Shaping The Future: Emerging Technologies And Their Role In Industry 4.0 And Beyond, Liuliu Qin

Information Technology & Decision Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper provides a comprehensive review of emerging technologies driving the transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0. It examines the foundational concepts and pillars of Industry 4.0 and explores the transformative roles of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Extended Reality (XR), Collaborative Cobots (Cobots), Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs), quantum technologies, and next-generation connectivity (5G/6G). By integrating technological, human-centric, and sustainability perspectives, the study outlines how these emerging technologies reshape industrial systems and enable intelligent, adaptive, and inclusive futures.

Artificial Intelligence Adoption In The Workplace. An Exploration Of Augmentation, Oyinkansola O. Sodiya

Management Dissertations

As collaborative work with artificial intelligence (AI augmentation) gains interest, it is crucial to investigate factors that affect how employees perceive and use AI tools at work. Drawing on task-technology fit and technology adoption theories, this dissertation examines the ways in which task dimensions, organizational contexts, and individual differences affect the perceived usefulness of working with AI tools. This dissertation demonstrates that task-technology fit is fundamental. Employees in jobs with high information processing demands are likely to positively perceive the usefulness of AI augmentation relative to employees in jobs with high interpersonal demands. Employees with more proactive personalities perceive greater …

Artificial Intelligence And Consumer Well-Being: A Cross Domain Systemic Review, Setar Lytle, Mahesh Gopinath

Marketing Faculty Publications

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly embedded in everyday consumption, yet evidence on its longer-term implications for consumer eudaimonic well-being remains dispersed across disciplines and application contexts. This review integrates that literature to clarify the domains, theoretical explanations, and conditions through which AI shapes consumer well-being. Following PRISMA and SPAR-4-SLR procedures, we reviewed research published from January 2010 to January 2026. From 6058 records, 480 studies across psychology, business, and human-technology interaction met the inclusion criteria. The evidence is organised through psychological, social, and technological perspectives and identifies six interconnected domains: mental health, cognitive development, physical health, personal growth, autonomy and …

The Soft Target Curriculum: Using Nigeria's 2026 Cascading Breaches To Teach Foundational Cybersecurity Failures, Chinedum Amaechi, Doris Asogwa, Samuel Alade

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

SourceURL:file:///home/amaechi/Documents/ *Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice (JCERP)*. **Title:** The Soft Target Curriculum: Using Nigeria's 2026 Cascading Breaches to Teach Foundational Cybersecurity Failures.docx

Background: Between March and April 2026, a single threat actor allegedly compromised four Nigerian institutions across banking, payment infrastructure, government registry, and power distribution sectors. The breaches exposed millions of records and disrupted critical services, yet all four exploited elementary vulnerabilities taught in introductory cybersecurity courses. Objective: This pedagogical case study analyzes the four breaches as a unified phenomenon of "normalized negligence" and provides ready-to-use teaching materials for cybersecurity educators. Methods: Using open-source intelligence analysis of …

Lost In Instructions: Study Of Blind Users' Experiences With Diy Manuals And Ai-Rewritten Instructions For Assembly, Operation, And Troubleshooting Of Tangible Products, Monalika Padma Reddy, Aruna Balasubramanian, Jiawei Zhou, Xiaojun Bi, Iv Ramakrishnan, Vikas Ashok

Computer Science Faculty Publications

AI tools like ChatGPT and Be-My-AI are increasingly being used by blind individuals. Although prior work has explored their use in some Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tasks by blind individuals, little is known about how they use these tools and the available product-manual resources to assemble, operate, and troubleshoot physical/tangible products – tasks requiring spatial reasoning, structural understanding, and precise execution. We address this knowledge gap via an interview study and a usability study with blind participants, investigating how they leverage AI tools and product manuals for DIY tasks with physical products. Findings show that manuals are essential resources, but product-manual instructions …

Advancing Cybersecurity Practice: Explainable Machine Learning For Network Intrusion Detection, Adam Grabowski, Shengjie Xu

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

This research investigates explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) integration within machine learning (ML)-based intrusion detection systems (IDS), focusing on distinguishing malicious from benign network activities. We employed Random Forest and XGBoost models evaluated on widely recognized datasets, including NSL-KDD and UNSW-NB15, using both binary and multi-class classification tasks. The objective was to enhance cybersecurity operations through improved model transparency and interpretability. By integrating SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) and LIME (Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations), the study offers comprehensive global and local insights into model decision-making processes. Results demonstrate SHAP's effectiveness in providing a broad, dataset-wide understanding of feature interactions and importance, while …

Software-Defined Networking Powered By Ai-Driven Anomaly Detection, Dina Moloja, Vusumuzi Malele Prof

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Software Defined Networking (SDN) revolutionizes network control by separating the control plane from the data plane. Although the latter improves SDN agility and scalability, it creates a security hole, particularly in a central control plane, leading to SDN environments becoming high-profile targets for advanced cybersecurity threats. Due to static and signature-based point-in-time behavior, traditional security methods are unable to keep up with modern attacks that are an anomaly to SDNs. Artificial Intelligence (AI) with its different applications and techniques, has the capability of detecting SDN cyber threats’ anomalies. This paper presents the results of a literature scoping exercise that used …

From The Editors, Rully Karim Dr.

Journal of Project Management & Construction

The Journal of Project Management and Construction (JPMC) is a peer-reviewed publication dedicated to advancing the field of project management and construction, grounded in the principles outlined in the PMBOK 6th Edition. Our focus encompasses the ten knowledge areas essential to successful project management: Integration, Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resource, Communications, Risk, Procurement, and Stakeholder Management.

JPMC publishes original research papers written in English that provide deeper insights into these knowledge areas and contribute to the development of best practices in project management and construction. Submissions may include theoretical analyses, computational models, experimental observations, or a combination of both theoretical …

Experts’ Validation Of The Fundamental Cybersecurity Competency Index (Fcci) Using A Commercial Cyber Range Through Human-Generative Artificial Intelligence (Genai) Teaming, Dariusz Witko, Yair Levy, Catherine Neubauer, Greg Simco, Laurie P. Dringus, Melissa Carlton

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The increasing volume of cyber threats, combined with a critical shortage of skilled professionals and rising burnout among practitioners, highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions in cybersecurity operations. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) offers promising potential to augment human analysts in cybersecurity, but its integration requires rigorous validation of the fundamental competencies that enable effective collaboration of human-GenAI teams. This research study employed a mixed-methods research project designed to evaluate human-GenAI teams, emphasizing the role of expert consensus in shaping the experimental assessment of the Fundamental Cybersecurity Competency Index (FCCI) in a commercial cyber range. We engaged 20 Subject Matter …

Security And Privacy Of Wearable And Implantable Medical Devices: A Course-Based Approach To Medical Device Cybersecurity Education, Michelle M. Ramim

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

As wearable and implantable medical devices become integral to remote patient monitoring and precision medicine, the associated cybersecurity and privacy risks demand urgent attention. These devices are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks, potentially endangering patient safety and data integrity. To address this, we developed an experiential learning course titled Security and Privacy of Wearable and Implantable Medical Devices, designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in health and medical fields. The course immerses students in real-world challenges through lectures, labs, and project-based learning, leveraging wearable devices such as FitBit^TM to analyze and interpret real-time personal health data. The curriculum …

Systematic Review Of Elementary Cybersecurity Education: Curriculum, Pedagogy, And Barriers, Na Liu, Siyu Long, Florence Martin

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Abstract -As children increasingly engage with digital platforms, the need for effective cybersecurity education has become urgent. This systematic review synthesizes 81 studies published between 2017 and 2024 to examine global curricula research focus and topics, pedagogical approaches and assessment methods, and key challenges in elementary cybersecurity education. The findings reveal six major thematic categories: student awareness, parental mediation, teacher engagement, curriculum design, community and policy support, and pedagogical innovation. Among instructional strategies, game-based learning and narrative storytelling emerge as the most frequently explored. Despite this growth, major gaps remain in curriculum consistency, teacher preparation, assessment rigor, and stakeholder coordination. …

How Behavioral Science Can Improve The Return On Ai Investments, David De Cremer, Shane Schweitzer, Jack Mcguire, Devesh Narayanan

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Many AI projects fail because leaders treat adoption as a tech purchase instead of a behavioral change problem. People resist tools that disrupt routines, overreact to visible AI errors, and prefer familiar human judgment. As a result, even good systems fail to gain purchase. Leaders can address this problem by applying “Behavioral Human-Centered AI” across the AI adoption cycle. In the design phrase, companies should co-design with diverse users, add purposeful friction where it improves scrutiny, require beta tests with subgroup results and behavioral input. During adoption, they should frame AI as an augmenter, disclose limits and safeguards, use explainability …

Quantum Leap: Harnessing Quantum–Ai Synergy For Resilient Supply Chains And Predictive Routing Under Tariff Shocks, Andrew Burnstine, Raouf Ghattas

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Higher Education Cybersecurity: A Vulnerability Assessment Of The U.S. South’S Institutional Websites, Zachary W. Taylor, Vivi Vo

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

As technology continues to advance, it is critical to understand how higher education institutions protect digital information of their stakeholders including students, faculty, and staff through cybersecurity measures. Although conceptual research has articulated various aspects of cybersecurity, no empirical research has explored the cybersecurity of higher education (.edu) websites through a vulnerability scan of these websites via an open PortScan and analysis. To fill a critical gap in the literature, this study conducted a vulnerability scan and open PortScan and analysis of all higher education websites in three of the lowest-income states in the United States: Louisiana (n=112), Mississippi (n=52), …

Impact Of Information Security Awareness Training On Knowledge, Attitude, And Behavior: A K-12 Case Study, Michael S. Robbins, Christopher Robbins

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Abstract— Information security breaches remain a serious threat across all sectors, often exploiting human factors rather than technical flaws. This study examines how a structured Information Security Awareness (ISA) training program influences employees’ knowledge of security policies, attitudes towards those policies, and self-reported security behaviors within a K-12 educational environment. A quantitative pre-test/post-test design was employed with 201 staff members (administrators, teachers, and support personnel) in a public school district. Participants completed the Human Aspects of Information Security Questionnaire (HAIS-Q) before and after undergoing an interactive cybersecurity training program. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in information security knowledge, attitudes, …

Review Of Ai Needs You: How We Can Change Ai’S Future And Save Our Own, Tracy A. Fernandez Rysavy

Feminist Pedagogy

AI Needs You: How We Can Change AI’s Future and Save Our Own urges citizens to band together now, while A.I. is still in its nascent stages, to head off its potentially destructive repercussions and ensure that the technology serves more than just a wealthy few. While such efforts might seem out of reach in our polarized society, author Verity Harding points to three cases from history where policy was heavily influenced by multistakeholder collaborations. This review encourages educators to use the book as a way to study business ethics; out-of-the-box thinking; and intersectional, inclusive consensus-building over a top-down approach.

Prompt Engineering For Genai In Cybersecurity Incident Response: A Multi-Platform Evaluation Based On Nice Pr-Ir-001, Yuanyuan Liu

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

This study explores the application of prompt engineering in cybersecurity education, mainly by evaluating the performance of different generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) platforms when performing tasks consistent with the NICE framework role pr-ir-001 - Network Defense Incident Responder. The study employed structured prompts designed for a medical technology environment compliant with HIPAA and NIST SP 800-53, while the tasks of the three GenAI models (GPT-4, Gemini, and DeepSeek) were to generate event response scenarios. Their outputs will be evaluated from four aspects: accuracy, relevance, clarity and completeness.

The results show that the three models differ in depth and consistency, but …

Arizona’S Experiential Learning Opportunities: Regional Security Operations Centers And Cybersecurity Clinics, Joshua Kipers, Paul Wagner, Robert J. Honomichl

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The increasing frequency, sophistication, and economic impact of cybersecurity incidents have intensified the global demand for a skilled cybersecurity workforce. Traditional academic programs often fail to provide the applied experience necessary to prepare graduates for the rapidly evolving threat landscape. This paper examines Arizona’s innovative approaches to experiential cybersecurity education through the establishment of Regional Security Operations Centers (RSOCs) and the Arizona Cybersecurity Clinic. These initiatives integrate Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework to align academic preparation with real-world practice. The RSOCs, supported by the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, provide paid student internships focused on …

Static Malware Analysis For Incident Response: Developing A Tactical Aid With Ember, Joel Meoak, Shengjie Xu

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Incident responders face a variety of challenges when identifying malware using existing solutions, particularly when rapid tactical decisions are needed. Traditional malware detection methods are often signature-based, limiting their effectiveness to previously known threats detected by anti-virus (AV) engines. Online analysis tools introduce confidentiality risks, potentially alerting adversaries that their actions are under scrutiny. While free sandbox environments offer useful capabilities, they often require substantial setup time and hardware resources that may not be available in the field. This research leverages the Elastic Malware Benchmark for Empowering Researchers (EMBER) dataset to develop a lightweight, portable tactical decision aid that enables …

Trust And Ethics In Ai-Driven E-Commerce: Persuasion Vs. Privacy, Akriti Nepal

Student Publications

This study examines how AI-driven features in e-commerce influence user satisfaction and the role of trust in these interactions. Using a survey-based dataset of 100 consumers, we investigated whether trust moderates or mediates the impact of AI persuasiveness and perceptions of bias, intrusiveness, and preference understanding on satisfaction. Results indicate that AI’s perceived ability to understand user preferences strongly predicts satisfaction, while trust partially mediates the relationship between helpful AI features and urgency messages and user satisfaction. Conversely, trust did not significantly moderate these relationships, and concerns about bias and intrusiveness had minimal impact. Findings suggest that AI-driven satisfaction is …

Global Trends In Ai-Driven Product Development: A Cross-Country Analysis, Shilpa Dhananjayan

Journal of the Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression

Project Mentor(s): Hideki Takei, DBA

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and accelerating global innovation, yet its benefits remain unevenly distributed. A nation’s AI readiness—its capacity to adopt and implement AI technologies—plays a crucial role in economic growth and technological advancement. Key determinants of AI readiness include digital infrastructure, data accessibility, government policies, research and development (R&D) investment, and workforce development. This study examines the relationship between AI readiness, AI adoption, innovation, R&D investment of a nation, Digital Infrastructure Index (DII) and Human Capital Index (HCI) using a Random Forest regression model. Findings reveal a strong correlation between AI adoption …