In the fall of 2025, the College of Liberal Arts introduced its new Cybersecurity and Human Behavior program. The program aims to complement the requisite technical training—skills like coding and networking—with an increased focus on the human errors and behaviors behind over two-thirds of cybercrime. 

From new courses and a growing student club community to real-world case competitions, the program is already expanding its reach, but first, let’s look back at the first year of Cybersecurity and Human Behavior at CLA.

Program Growth

The Cybersecurity and Human Behavior program has seen significant growth since its official launch at the start of the 2025-26 academic year. As of Spring 2026, the program has 40 majors and 21 minors, with strong interest from both current Temple students and those planning to enroll in the coming academic year. 

Students are already finding meaningful opportunities in and beyond the classroom. “My experience so far in this program has been wonderful,” said Nebeyou Samuel Ademe, a freshman majoring in Cybersecurity and Human Behavior. “Through the major-specific courses I have taken so far, I have had experiences and opportunities to look in depth at what this field holds in store for me.” With that momentum continuing to build, the program is preparing to celebrate its first graduating students in Spring 2027.

The program has also added a new course, Special Topics: Cultures of Cybersecurity (CYBH 2000), further expanding its interdisciplinary curriculum. The course examines cybersecurity beyond its technical dimensions, encouraging students to explore how culture, identity, beliefs, and social norms shape digital life and influence responses to cybersecurity risk. Through case studies, media analysis, and interactive discussion, students engage with topics ranging from privacy and surveillance to workplace security habits and the ethics of online life. 

“I’m really glad the Cultures of Cybersecurity course is being offered here at Temple University because it highlights the human side of security, not just the technical aspects of it,” said Diondra Talleyrand, a senior and Cybersecurity and Human Behavior minor. “It’s helped me better understand how human behavior, and especially culture, play a role in our digital space.”

Student Community

The Cybersecurity and Human Behavior Student Club has had a busy academic year, with biweekly meetings featuring social activities, game nights, and student presentations that build community and encourage shared learning. Open to majors, minors and any others interested in cybersecurity, the club gives students opportunities to explore the human side of the field beyond the classroom. 

“I’ve really enjoyed seeing students build community through this club around their academic interests while also having fun together,” said Julien Ehrenkönig, assistant director for the Cybersecurity and Human Behavior program and faculty advisor for the club. “That balance of shared learning, personal connection and enjoyment is what makes the Cybersecurity and Human Behavior Student Club such a valuable part of the student experience.”

A new student club under the Cybersecurity and Human Behavior program, Temple Girls Who Code, launched in the Spring 2026 semester. The organization provides a supportive, inclusive space for students of any gender to develop technical skills, gain practical knowledge and build confidence as they pursue opportunities in tech and beyond. By fostering community and connecting members to real-world applications, the club encourages students to ask questions, take risks, and see themselves as capable of succeeding in spaces where they may not always have felt represented. 

“Temple Girls Who Code stands for more than just learning how to code; it’s about building community, confidence, and opportunity,” said Zeynab Huseynli, a sophomore majoring in Cybersecurity and Human Behavior and president of the club.

At this year’s AIS Student Chapter Leadership Conference, Temple students took part in a KPMG-sponsored cybersecurity case competition that challenged them to evaluate IT risks, assess regulatory compliance, and develop recommendations to strengthen cyber defense in the financial services sector. Shreya Chintawar, a junior and Cybersecurity and Human Behavior minor, and a team of students from Temple’s Association for Information Systems (AIS) chapter participated in the competition with faculty mentorship from Ehrenkönig. “Overall, the competition provided valuable exposure to real-world cybersecurity challenges, strengthened my understanding of IT auditing and risk assessment, and reinforced the importance of aligning cybersecurity practices with organizational goals,” said Chintawar.

Looking Forward

“As we look ahead to the next academic year, I’m excited about the continued growth of the Cybersecurity and Human Behavior program and the new opportunities ahead for our students,” said Ehrenkönig. “In addition to offering several courses for the first time, including Community Engagement and Cyber Hygiene; Cybersecurity, Surveillance, and Privacy; and Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, Compliance and Policy, we look forward to welcoming guest speakers from academia and industry and hosting other events that will continue to strengthen the student experience.”