Where to Learn About Cybersecurity

The Space Foundation's cyber expert Art Ratkewicz recently spoke to teachers enrolled in Space Foundation Space Across the Curriculum professional development courses. The teachers were greatly interested in learning more about cybersecurity, so Ratkewicz provided this article for Space Watch.

During a recent cyberspace discussion with technology teachers involved in the Space Foundation's Space Across the Curriculum courses, they asked about cybersecurity. This is a major concern at all levels of our society. The teachers were interested in getting good cybersecurity websites to help teach their students about this aspect of cyberspace. There are hundreds of web sites dealing with cybersecurity, but here are a few top-level sites that you can use as a start to learn more about cybersecurity issues.

In June, 2011, the White House published the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative. This document lays out a framework of twelve initiatives to improve cybersecurity and can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/cybersecurity/comprehensive-national-cybersecurity-initiative.

For suggestions on how to improve cybersecurity in your home and business, look at the Stop. Think. Connect. Program's website at http://www.dhs.gov/files/events/stop-think-connect.shtm. It offers ideas for your home and office on protecting your cyberspace.

On Aug. 15, 2011, The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) unveiled their draft plan "to promote cybersecurity education and develop a cybersecurity workforce for the 21st century." NIST is seeking public input on its draft strategic plan for the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) program. The plan represents the coordinated thinking of the federal agencies that have leading roles in NICE and includes Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, the Office of Personnel Management, and the National Security Agency. NIST is soliciting public comments on the NICE draft strategic plan by Sept. 12, 2011.

More information is available at http://www.infosecurity-us.com/view/20108/nist-proposes-national-cybersecurity-education-and-training-plan/

 

This article is part of Space Watch: September 2011 (Volume: 10, Issue: 9).