Component 2: Formal Cybersecurity Education
Co-Leads: DoED and NSF
Mission: Bolster formal cybersecurity education programs
About
The Department of Education and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are leading the Formal Cybersecurity Education Component. Their mission is to bolster formal cybersecurity education programs encompassing kindergarten through 12th grade, higher education and vocational programs, with a focus on the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines to provide a pipeline of skilled workers for the private sector and government.
NICE component 2 includes development of cybersecurity researchers, cybersecurity professional cybersecurity capable workforce and cybersecurity aware citizens. A cybersecurity capable workforce includes not only those who enter computer science, information assurance, information technology and information security fields, but all students and workers impacted by cybersecurity issues. A digitally literate workforce that uses technology in a secure manner is imperative to the Nation’s economy and the security of our critical infrastructure. Just as we teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics, reading, writing and other critical subjects to all students, we also need to educate all students to use technology securely in order to prepare them for the digital world in which we live.
News and Activities:
President Obama Expands “Educate to Innovate” Campaign for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education. Go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-expands-educate-innovate-campaign-excellence-science-technology-eng for more information.
For educators who want a view of some of the education materials already available, check out stay safe online (http://www.staysafeonline.org) sponsored by the National Cybersecurity Alliance to learn more.
The National Science Foundation is working to build an information security workforce who will play a critical role in implementing the national strategy to secure cyberspace through several efforts including its Advanced Technology Education (ATE) program. Currently three ATE Regional centers serve to increase the quality and quantity of the cybersecurity workforce: the Cyber security education consortium: http://www.cseconline.org/, Center for System Security and Information Assurance: http://www.cssia.org/, and CyberWatch: http://www.cyberwatchcenter.org/
The National Centers of Academic Excellence sponsored by NSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) promotes higher education and research in IA and helps to increase the number of professionals with IA expertise in various disciplines. (http://www.nsa.gov/ia/academic_outreach/nat_cae/index.shtml)
