Cyber Curriculum Microgrants
The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Curriculum Task Force is inviting proposals for the sharing of existing post-secondary educational resources, as well as updating materials in emerging cybersecurity fields such as Secure Coding, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Malware Analysis, and Reverse Engineering.
Cybersecurity Curriculum Task Force
Funded by the NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C), the National CAE-Cybersecurity Task Force is chartered to inventory, audit, analyze, and develop curricula to assist in creating a cyber-ready workforce.
Following the model of the Solarium Commission (https://www.solarium.gov), this task force will consist of four subcommittees: Reconnaissance, Gap Analysis, Construction, and Alignment. The subcommittees will 1) assess the curricular needs of cybersecurity knowledge, tasks, abilities, competencies, skills (KTACS) aligned with the Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework) and NCAE-C knowledge units; 2) conduct a meaningful analysis of available curricula, their levels, depth, and recency; and 3) develop high quality and relevant curricula. This effort will synthesize existing and ongoing curriculum development initiatives and further the development of high-quality and relevant curricula in filling the cybersecurity workforce shortage.
A Strategic Approach to Building High-Quality, High-Impact Cybersecurity Curriculum for the Nation
Led by Towson University and Portland Community College (PCC), the commission is strategically designed to partner new NCAE-C members, including PCC, the United States Naval Academy (USNA), Cedarville University (CU), and Coastline Community College (CCC), with ‘veteran’ NCAE-C schools, including Metropolitan State University(MSU), and University of West Florida (UWF). Collectively, the commission includes experience in: developing national cybersecurity curriculum standards, both two- and four year (ACM Cyber2yr2020, ACM CSEC2017); leading national curriculum efforts; and developing knowledge units and competencies. While special attention has
been paid to include diverse perspectives across geographic regions, institution types, cybersecurity specialities and skill sets, all members of the commission are passionate about designing and sharing quality cybersecurity curricular resources to advance the mission of the NCAE.
Vision
To make high-quality, high-relevance cybersecurity curriculum accessible to all
post-secondary education levels.
Mission
Catalog and create high-quality and relevant curricula on emerging cyber topics
mapping to the NICE framework and CAE-C Knowledge Units, and make them
freely available.
Goals
1. Conduct a comprehensive search of available curricula in cybersecurity repositories, directories, and among the NCAE-C community.
2. Perform gap analysis to identify high-need areas to create a cyber-ready
workforce.
3. Develop high-impact, high-value curricula for the NCAE-C community.
Objectives
‘ 1. Establish a curriculum commission for the NCAE-C program that includes
diverse stakeholders.
2. Define a process and complete a quantitative and qualitative analysis of
available curricula on cybersecurity repositories, directories, and among the
NCAE-C community and ongoing initiatives.
3. Define a process and conduct analysis of the available curricula to identify gaps with respect to the NICE Framework, NCAE-C KU’s, and employer
needs.
4. Design and implement a curriculum development model to produce high-quality, high-impact curriculum in six new subjects areas.
5. Align new curriculum horizontally and vertically.
Commission Co-chairs
Sidd Kaza, Towson University, CAE-CD, CAE-CO
Cara Tang, Portland Community College, CAE-2Y
ReconnaissanceCo-Chairs:
Seth Hamman, Cedarville University, CAE-CO
Cara Tang, Portland Community College, CAE-2Y
ReconnaissanceCo-Chairs:
Faisal Kaleem, Metropolitan State University, CAE-CD Tirthankar Ghosh, University of West Florida, CAE-CD
Construction Co-Chairs:
Blair Taylor, Towson University, CAE-CO, CAE-CD
Tobi West, Coastline Community College, CAE-2Y
Alignment Co-Chairs:
CAPT John Doherty, United States Naval Academy, CAE-CO,
CAE-CD
Sidd Kaza, Towson University, CAE-CO, CAE-CD
Special Appointments:
NCAE-C Program Office Liaison
TBD (NSA appointed member)
2020 Initiatives Liaisons:
1. Workforce Development – Michael Tu, Purdue University Northwest, CAE-CD
2. Faculty Development – Yair Levy, Nova Southeastern University, CAE-CD
3. Professional Development – Stephen Miller, Eastern New Mexico University, CAE-CD
4. Diversity Initiative (CEDI) – Sidd Kaza, Towson University
5. Competency Working Group – David Tobey, Prince George’s Community College, CAE-2Y
2021 Initiatives Liaisons
1. NCAE-C Knowledge Units – TBD
2. K-12 – TBD (depending on institutions funded)