Cyber Monday Deal : Flat 30% OFF! + free self-paced courses - SCHEDULE CALL
Why understanding the difference between cyber literacy and digital literacy is crucial?
The Internet has become an indispensable part of our lives today, and it is tough to imagine a world without it. Whether you are a student or a business person, a homemaker or a salaried employee of a company, the information that you readily receive just by the click of a button has made our lives easier in multiple ways. However, the increasing number of cyber-attacks has made us wary of the uniquely shocking and disappointing events that can happen to any of us due to the lack of cyber literacy.
And to gain cyber literacy, it is essential to understand digital literacy because the former cannot be achieved before the latter. Before learning to protect personal information on a chosen digital device, one needs to learn how to operate the device and navigate through the various channels that the Internet has to offer. Cyber literacy is incomplete without digital literacy. Let’s explore these terms in depth and understand why it is important to know about them for the future consumption of the Internet.
Before learning about cyber literacy, let’s delve into what digital literacy is. In simpler terms, digital literacy is the ability to use and navigate through computers and other technological devices. When a person is digitally literate, he/she/they can use digital tools and platforms effectively.
Suppose you have downloaded an app that lets you order groceries and delivers them to your chosen address. If you are digitally literate, you shall have no problem doing this, but if you are not, you might have a tough time understanding the layout of the app and navigating through the various breadcrumbs or categories.
The world was a lot simpler before the advent of the Internet. People read books and picked up things by communicating with each other. The Internet has changed the way knowledge is shared and perceived. Even though it has helped mankind in countless ways, one cannot help but acknowledge the perennial state of confusion it has led to due to the vast pool of data it holds.
To determine how well someone comprehends digital literacy, Dr. Doug Belshaw came up with 8 elements or parts that offer a holistic view of the entire concept. These are like different pieces that make up a person's digital skills. One can learn these aspects to understand the importance of digital literacy in-depth.
The 8 elements are:
Thus, digital literacy can be referred to a human’s ability to access, understand, evaluate, and, receive and share information with the help of technological devices and digital platforms. An individual that holds technical as well as cognitive skills can be identified as someone with digital literacy.
Digital literacy is not impossible or extremely difficult to achieve. Unlike rocket science, the learning process is gradual and encompasses several steps, trials, and errors when venturing into digital space. Unfortunately, digital literacy is highly undervalued, as people do not realize it is essential to be digitally literate before aiming for digital cyber literacy
Cyber literacy can be defined as the intelligence to use computer technologies effectively and realize the positive as well as negative implications of cybersecurity. Most technological products used for communication, such as computers, smartphones, and iPads, can ensure access to the Internet and open the world of cyberspace for all their users. Thus, it is also important for users to understand why technology literacy is equally important as digital cyber literacy or cyber literacy, for that matter.
Cyber literacy is the first and foremost step in being aware of cybersecurity measures. It is not just about knowing how to use a particular device; it also involves understanding what can be done and what should not be done while sharing and using personal information online, especially when purchasing something or transferring money to someone. Only if a person is aware of cyber do’s and don’ts, can he/she/they be trained further on cyber literacy.
Cyber literacy exclusively involves being aware of, if not equipped to handle, the various kinds of cyber threats that are out there. Here is the list of the most common type of cyber threats:
A person from a non-technical background may find it cumbersome to identify such threats. However, since most professions today require professionals from all fields, including freshers, to work in a digital environment, it is important to undergo a cybersecurity training at an early stage of one’s professional life.
Even though digital literacy and cyber literacy are related, both have distinct agendas in the field of technology. While digital literacy encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, cyber literacy can be counted as a subset of digital literacy and a consequent outcome of a robust and well-informed digitally literate environment.
Digital Literacy:
Cyber Literacy:
Digital literacy and cyber literacy skills are extremely crucial for students and professionals in every field. Whether it is for studying, researching, or consulting an expert, students spend a significant amount of their time online. Due to the convenience factor, they have started preferring digital libraries over physical ones. This is why digital literacy skills for students are extremely important and should be taught and practiced in every school, college, and educational institution. Once they are digitally literate, they can gradually become interested in cyber literacy. In recent times, many young students have fallen prey to unfavorable situations that have impacted their mental health and overall well-being. Sharing personal information such as photos, chats, and voice recordings without consent and cyberbullying are two of the many negative consequences of lacking cyber literacy skills.
Nowadays, there is hardly any profession left where the Internet is not being leveraged for the myriad of benefits it has to offer. Working professionals in every field are making the most of the Internet to gain information, share their work, and acquire clients for their business. With such deep involvement, professionals are susceptible to data breaches, data theft, and monetary fraud. Thus, in addition to students, professionals from every field should develop cyber literacy skills to avoid such adverse situations in the future.
At present, many companies make it a point to educate their employees about cyber threats and encourage them to take cybersecurity training and obtain certificates to survive in a safe and threat-free digital environment. If not at the office, professionals dealing with customer or high-profile client data daily, due to their work profiles, take it upon themselves to enroll in cybersecurity training online.
Advantages of cybersecurity training and certificates:
Cybersecurity training can be ordained in multiple ways. One can be part of classroom training, virtual simulations, or undertake extensive cybersecurity training online. JanBask offers one of the best cyber security certifications to interested individuals.
Digital literacy and cyber literacy are equally important to navigate the current cyberspace. While digital literacy encompasses a wide range of activities such as reading, writing, creating, and sharing content online, similar to a universal set, cyber literacy focuses on the responsible handling of data to prevent data breaches and thefts in the future, representing a subset of digital literacy. If one intends to strengthen their knowledge on cybersecurity or make a career out of it, opting for an extensive cybersecurity course run by experts is the first and foremost step.
1. Who all can enroll for the cybersecurity course?
Ans: Students and working professionals who wish to make a career in this field are eligible to enroll for the cybersecurity training course.
2. What is special about the cyber security training provided by JanBask?
Ans: The cyber security training by JanBask has been devised by industry experts. The training has a comprehensive module and covers each topic in depth.
3. Will I get a job after completing the training by JanBask?
Ans: Our job is to make you ready for real-time tasks and responsibilities. Once you complete the course, our team at JanBask will assist you with job opportunities across companies.
4. Do you guys conduct the cyber security course online?
Ans: Yes, the course is aimed for students and working professionals who wish to enhance their knowledge in the field of cyber security and cyber literacy. The course is a self-paced one and can be taken online.
A dynamic, highly professional, and a global online training course provider committed to propelling the next generation of technology learners with a whole new way of training experience.
Cyber Security
QA
Salesforce
Business Analyst
MS SQL Server
Data Science
DevOps
Hadoop
Python
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Tableau
Interviews