Special Announcement on Cybersecurity Workforce Development
Posted on 20 Jul 2017 9:47 PM

On August 2, 2017, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are holding a workshop on cybersecurity workforce development. This workshop will cover the Executive Order (EO) 13800, Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure, which can be located at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/05/16/2017-10004/strengthening-the-cybersecurity-of-federal-networks-and-critical-infrastructure.

Fulfilling EO 13800

To fulfill this order the NIST will assist the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Homeland Security to complete the following tasks:

  1.  “assess the scope and sufficiency of efforts to educate and train the American cybersecurity workforce of the future, including cybersecurity-related education curricula, training, and apprenticeship programs, from primary through higher education”; and
  2. “provide a report to the President…with findings and recommendations regarding how to support the growth and sustainment of the Nation's cybersecurity workforce in both the public and private sectors.”

Recently NICE put out a Request for Information (RFI) in order to meet these goals. To view the Request for Information please go to: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2017/07/nist-seeks-comments-growing-sustaining-nations-cybersecurity-workforce.

CAE Community Helping to Shape the Future

This report is due to be delivered to the President on September 8, 2017 and will reflect private and public-sector input. The EO could have far-reaching impact on cybersecurity education. Do NOT be part of the silent majority! Everyone in the CAE Community needs to be part of the conversation, inputting best practices in cybersecurity education and voicing your opinion on the Cybersecurity CAEs programs. To be a part of the conversation, please go to https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/07/12/2017-14553/strengthening-the-cybersecurity-of-federal-networks-and-critical-infrastructure-workforce. ***All comments must be received by 5:00pm Eastern Time on August 2, 2017.

NIST Workshop on EO 13800

NIST is also conducting a workshop on August 2, 2017, from 8:30 am - 4:00pm CT in Chicago, Illinois at the Herman Hall Conference Center, to gain further public input to the assessment and recommendations regarding the cybersecurity workforce. This is a public event. If you are able to attend, you can find instructions for participation at https://www.nist.gov/news-events/events/2017/08/workshop-cybersecurity-workforce-development.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the RFI, the EO, or need additional information, please contact Danielle.Santos@nist.gov.