Developing a Curriculum: The Development of a Doctoral Program in Cybersecurity
Abstract
Almost daily, current media offers a different story about data breaches, hacking, privacy, and security. In today’s digital society, security of our personal information is a major concern for individuals, security of... [ view full abstract ]
Almost daily, current media offers a different story about data breaches, hacking, privacy, and security. In today’s digital society, security of our personal information is a major concern for individuals, security of corporate data is a bottom line issue for organizations, and security of the physical and economic infrastructure is a national concern.
The interconnectedness of our systems results in bigger and more complex risks. For the nation, the economy, public safety and health are at risk. For companies, security risks drive costs up and impact revenues. Companies may lose their ability gain and maintain customers.
In February 2013, President Obama issued Executive Order 13636, “Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity.” This executive order established that “[i]t is the Policy of the United States to enhance the security and resilience of the Nation’s critical infrastructure and to maintain a cyber environment that encourages efficiency, innovation, and economic prosperity while promoting safety, security, business confidentiality, privacy, and civil liberties.”
To enact the policy, a voluntary risk-based Cybersecurity Framework was developed. The Framework is a set of industry standards and best practices to help organizations manage cybersecurity risks. The Framework was a collaborative effort between government and the private sector. The Framework avoids placing additional regulatory requirements on businesses.
The Framework recognizes that organizations will continue to have unique risks – different threats, different vulnerabilities, different risk tolerances, and implementation of the best practices set forth in the Framework will vary. The Framework is a living document that is updated and improved as there is feedback on its implementation.
We used the framework to design a curriculum and develop courses for a doctoral program in Cybersecurity. The program has 25 courses worth 75 credits, of which ten courses or 30 credits can be transferred in from a Master’s level program in Cybersecurity. The courses are spread among the areas in the Cybersecurity Framework, and course competencies and learning objectives are derived from specifications in the Framework.
This paper will describe the seven areas and discuss the coursework that will provide graduates with the necessary competencies to be cybersecurity experts. We also prescribe a series of courses in research for cybersecurity.
Authors
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Cynthia Knott
(Marymount University)
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Donna Schaeffer
(Marymount University)
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Patrick Olson
(National University)
Topic Area
Topics: Innovative Education & Teaching Pedagogy
Session
IE2 » Innovative Education & Teaching Pedagogy (15:00 - Wednesday, 22nd February, Ashley)
Paper
An_Interdisciplinary_Approach_to_Cybersecurity_Education-SEINFORMS_via_SEDSI.pdf
Presentation Files
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