A Model for Cybersecurity Education through Challenge Events

Abstract

The INCOSE Vision 2035 sets an important Cybersecurity goal: “Cybersecurity will be as foundational a perspective in systems design as system performance and safety are today”. A critical enabler of achieving this vision is educating cyber informed engineers and professionals. Across industries, the demand for talented cybersecurity professionals is high, which means the personnel and students need inspirational education and training to fill these opportunities. This is particularly the case for complex systems in transportation, maritime, agriculture, aerospace, energy, and industries that rely on operational technology implemented with embedded systems. This broad category of sectors need talent and community to address cybersecurity concerns. Often these economic sectors have systems with long lifecycles, regulations, market forces, or other constraints that preclude security solutions envisioned for information technologies. To address the needs for cybersecurity personnel for these industries, a model for developing talent and building community is explained in general terms with specific examples as it relates to automotive, heavy duty, maritime, and agriculture. The model describes the CyberX Challenge, where X is an industry sector, such as the CyberAuto Challenge, CyberTruck Challenge, CyberBoat Challenge, and CyberTractor Challenge. These Challenge Events are described in detail with a focus on the characteristics of what makes those successful or difficult. The successful events have strong industry support, elite instructors, and motivated students. The model for the event is described in detail, with the intention that other industry verticals may inspire additional students and further build communities able to address cyberthreats to our modern way of life. This work directly contributes solutions to addressing the needed foundational concept of Security Education and Competency development as highlighted by the INCOSE FuSE working group.