Implementation of a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Platform for EBSU Students

Cybersecurity threats targeting Nigerian university students, including phishing, identity theft, and social engineering attacks, have increased substantially in recent years, yet formal awareness training remains largely absent from curricula. This study implements a web-based cybersecurity awareness training platform for students of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), delivering interactive modules on phishing recognition, password security, social media safety, and safe browsing practices. The platform was developed using Django as the backend framework, React.js for the frontend, and SQLite for lightweight data management. Training content was designed using principles of gamification, incorporating quizzes, scenario simulations, and achievement badges to improve engagement and knowledge retention. System development followed the Agile methodology with bi-weekly sprint reviews. Evaluation involved 100 first-year and second-year students randomly assigned to trained and control groups over a six-week intervention period. Results show that the trained group demonstrated a 62 percent improvement in cybersecurity knowledge test scores compared to a 9 percent improvement in the control group. Phishing email identification accuracy increased from 41 percent to 83 percent among trained participants. Platform session completion rates averaged 78 percent. The study concludes that gamified cybersecurity awareness platforms are effective educational interventions for Nigerian university students. Recommendations include mandatory integration into EBSU orientation programs and annual refresher modules.