Date of Award

4-2-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Information Science

First Advisor

Dr. Sandra Leiterman

Abstract

This study examines the intersection of cybersecurity education, open educational resources (OER), and rural higher education through a systematic review of current literature and an exploratory survey of rural community college faculty. The purpose of this research, consistent with the approved Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol, was to understand how OER can be leveraged to design and deliver an affordable, high-quality System Security course within a rural higher-education environment. As cybersecurity workforce shortages continue to grow across the United States, rural institutions face persistent challenges in sustaining high-quality programs due to financial constraints, limited faculty capacity, and rapidly evolving curriculum demands. OER offers a potential strategy to address these inequities by providing adaptable, openly licensed materials tailored to regional needs. The literature review synthesizes empirical and policy research on OER implementation, faculty adoption barriers, and federal initiatives such as the NICE Workforce Framework that shape cybersecurity curriculum development. Particular attention is given to affordability, institutional support, and digital equity in rural contexts. The survey findings complement the literature by offering firsthand insight into faculty attitudes, perceived barriers, and institutional readiness to adopt OER within technical and cybersecurity courses. Findings indicate that while OER adoption may enhance accessibility, affordability, and instructional agility, challenges remain regarding sustainability, faculty time constraints, and institutional support. The study concludes with recommendations for strengthening OER implementation, specifically within System Security instruction, as well as broader cybersecurity programs at rural higher education institutions.

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