Proposal for a Joint Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management Program

Presenter Information

Christopher Simpson, National UniversityFollow
Debra Bowen, National UniversityFollow
William Reid, National UniversityFollow
James Juarez, National UniversityFollow

Start Date

12-10-2019 10:55 AM

End Date

12-10-2019 11:20 AM

Location

KSU Center Rm 460

Abstract

Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management programs have many similarities and many similar knowledge, skills, and abilities are taught across both programs. The skill mappings for the NICE Framework and the knowledge units required to become a National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education contain many information technology management functions. This paper explores one university’s perception on how a joint Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management program could be developed to upskill students to be work force ready.

Comments

I didn't see a place to upload the file on how we addressed reviewer comments, so it's pasted below.

Special thanks to the reviewers for their detailed and thoughtful comments. The following items were addressed in our final revision:

1. First of all I do not know if this proposal written in response to an RFP! And I do not know who is the granter for this proposal because NSF requirements is different from other entity requirements.

- This was written for development of an internal p program

1. Some lingering limitations and concerns include the potential difficulties in some subjects proposed if there are no equipped labs to help the students have a hands on experience.

- Added discussion on current lab use and how adoption of labs increase collaboration between programs.

1. I would like to see if the choice for CAE is explained further since lots of other frameworks were explained.

- Added more details on CAE

1. I suggest replacing “would” with “will” throughout the paper. This will bring the writing out of the passive tense.

Fixed

1. The subtitles under “Frameworks to Consider” each have very short bodies of 
writing. Each part is around 1-2 sentences, and many of them are fragments. I suggest putting everything into complete sentences and to either add more detail to each section or combine everything into one larger subtitle.

- Added additional details on each framework.

1. The author mentions many similarities in the “Differences in CYB and ITM Curriculum” section. Instead, I suggest waiting to hit on the similarities until that corresponding section. You should focus more heavily on the differences during the differences section.

- Good point, we try to explain this in paragraph 2 of the differences section.

1. In table 2, I suggest adding more detailed descriptions for the CTM courses. They are very vague at the moment, and for someone with limited knowledge and background in this field, it can be hard to understand.

- Excellent point. We are still in the early research and development and haven’t built detailed descriptions yet. The courses will be modeled after the current courses and merged as appropriate to meet KU’s and KSA requirements.