Assessing Cyber Security Education through NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework

Abstract

This paper presents the results of research and assessment of cyber security education in higher education in Europe and the United States of America. The quantitative research data of the education curricula was gathered and mapped to NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (NCWF) categories to provide a common background for data comparison and analysis. The research found the education heavily responding to and emphasizing Operate and Maintain and Securely Provision categories of the framework, with others being present, but with smaller ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) offering in the institutions providing higher education. This leaves doubt if the used framework accurately describes the workforce, or if the education fails to deliver on all categories. Based on these results, more adapt curriculum and course design can be conducted by educators focusing on cyber security.