This study investigates the effectiveness of a problem-based learning (PBL) approach, implemented through a hackathon, in enhancing the skills of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and students in a specific technical field of cybersecurity : information hiding. Two hackathons and two practical training sessions relying on PBL were organized, bringing together LEAs, students, security practitioners, and academics from various institutions. The events aimed to provide practical skills and technical competences in a casual environment. This present paper explains the methodologies we have used, leveraging the competencies framework, to design the training we proposed. A thorough post-experience analysis was conducted to synthesize the lessons learned from these experiences. The results highlight the potential of the hackathon as a tool for implementing PBL in cybersecurity education, regardless of the background of the participants, while also revealing its limitations and drawbacks. Furthermore, the study explores the impact of the hackathon on the participants' knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards data hiding. We also trained students during two short sessions of three hours and explained how PBL was used to improve the competencies students acquired using self-taught solutions. Finally, an independent self-pace training package based on the hackathons was proposed for the LEAs. While some materials are confidential, we explained the methodology used to package the hackathon as a self-training module, while also emphasizing the limit of such an alternative. The results of this study have implications for cybersecurity education and training, emphasizing the importance of collaborative approaches in addressing complex challenges in this field.

Authors:
Rémi Cogranne, University of Technology of Troyes, France
Patrick Bas, University of Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille UMR 9189 CRIStAL Lab., France
David Daems, Royal Military Academy, Belgium
Francine Martin, SYNYO GmbH, Austria
Serena Bianchi, SYNYO GmbH, Austria

About the Presenter(s)
Since 2013, Rémi Cogranne is an associate professor at University of Technology of Troyes, Troyes, France

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