Teaching Java security to enhance cybersecurity education

Java is a widely used programming language. How to use Java to develop secure applications is critical. In order to effectively teaching knowledge of Java security we have developed a course module titled “Java Security”. This paper presents the content of this module and reports our teaching experiences. This module has been successfully taught in COMP 360 Programming Languages class in fall 2012 in the Department of Computer Science at North Carolina A&T State University. Our experience exhibits that teaching this module help students not only understand the Java security features, but also gain significant knowledge of safe programming practice. Students' survey and feedback reflected that this module is very valuable in their educational experience. This module could be taught in junior and senior classes of software engineering, computer science and information technology.