Examination of cybersecurity in open and distance learning within the scope of technical support services

Under the philosophy of lifelong learning, open and distance learning activities that ensure the continuation of learning with an egalitarian policy for everyone, regardless of time and place, aim to meet the expectations and needs of different individuals, societies, and systems. Support services, which cover the support of differing expectations and needs in all learning-related activities, serve learning processes and different stakeholders involved in these processes. In this context, technical support services are also included in open and distance learning activities that require the use of technology as a tool, tool or technique in learning processes. In this study, open and distance learning systems, which are one of the systems in digital space, are examined within the scope of technical support services in line with the threats and dangers of the developing and expanding digital space. In this direction, it is aimed to create a technical support service proposal that uses machine learning to provide cyber security in open and distance learning systems. In the study, in which case study, one of the qualitative research methods, was adopted, firstly, the documents in the literature were examined; then, with ten interview questions created in the light of this information, eight field experts' opinions about the situation were taken. After taking the transcript of the interviews, the data obtained were divided into codes and themes through the NVivo package program. It has been found that the institutional culture, distribution of duties and responsibilities, managerial support, corporate awareness, cybersecurity trainings and the use of different technologies are presented as a solution proposal to ensure cybersecurity in open and distance learning systems. In addition to these, a common view was obtained that smart systems should be used in the stages of providing and maintaining cybersecurity.