Preparing the Cybersecurity Workforce Through Creative Partnering

NICE Conference and Expo - November 6th, 2014

{presented by}

Marcelle Lee & Michael Volk

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THE CHALLENGE

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THE CHALLENGE

It is difficult, or in some cases impossible, for academic institutions alone to meet employer and jobseeker needs.

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THE SOLUTION – Creative Collaboration

Ten Community College Partners:

• Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland

• College of Lake County in Illinois

• Clover Park Technical College in Washington State

• Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio

• Florida State College at Jacksonville

• Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana

• Macomb Community College in Michigan

• Northwest Arkansas Community College

• Roane State Community College in Tennessee

• South Seattle Community College in Washington State

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THE SOLUTION – The National STEM Consortium

The National STEM Consortium

Design and deliver Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs that are:

• Nationally portable

• High-quality certificate-level

• Responsive to labor market needs

• Embed contextualized remediation –“STEM Bridge”

• Build a national model for multi-college cooperation

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THE SOLUTION – The National STEM Consortium

What is the Role of the NSC?

• National STEM Consortium – STEM Bridge Team

• Carnegie Mellon’s Open Learning Initiative (OLI)

• Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) –addresses learner variability through Universal Design for Learning and Accessibility.

• Industry partners

Collaboration Partners

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THE SOLUTION – The National STEM Consortium

Cyber Technology Certificate Curriculum

Composite Materials

Cyber Technology

Electric VehicleEnvironmental

Technology

Mechatronics NationalSTEM

Consortium

NSC Industries

NSC Cyber Technology Certificate Program (30 Credits)

• Theory and Troubleshooting Microcomputers 1 (A+ Hardware)

• Theory and Troubleshooting Microcomputers 2 (A+ Software)

• Network Essentials (Network+)

• Security Fundamentals (Security+)

• Cisco 1: Network Fundamentals (Cisco CCNA)

• Cisco 2: Routing Protocols and Concepts (Cisco CCNA)

• Cisco 3: LAN Switching and Wireless (Cisco CCNA)

• Cisco 4: WAN Implementation and Support (Cisco CCNA)

• Cyber Capstone (hands-on, skills-based project to research,

build, test, and present a network solution)

• Core Skills for Computing Professionals 1-3

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THE SOLUTION – The National STEM Consortium

Programmatic Outputs

• Open source cybersecurity curriculum

• Scenario-based learning developed in collaboration with industry partners

• Cyber Technology curriculum is a component of the Cyber-Technology Pathways Across Maryland Consortium, a TAACCCT Round 4 Grant awarded to Montgomery College and 13 partner colleges across Maryland.

• Basis for the AACC/Wadhwani partnership

• Engaged industry partners and established relationships for future collaboration

• Training model that helps build both technical skills and core competencies

Participant/Student Outputs

• As of November 2014 a total of 79 participants nation-wide have successfully completed Cyber Technology Certificate program

• As of November 2014 a total of 42 completers are employed

“I knew I'd need to adapt. So, with the help of the Veteran Rehabilitation Assistance Program, I enrolled as a full-time student at Anne Arundel Community College. I got my Associate’s Degree in Business Administration, and enrolled in a special Cyber Technology program. That program allowed me to learn a new set of skills that's positioned me at the forefront of the cyber technology field that is under high demand.”- Gary Pollard, NSC Cyber Tech Completer

“Through hard work and resilience, she’s overcome the adversity. And with the Information Assurance and Security certificate she earned at AACC, today she makes $52,000 a year in a job she loves and a field she’s passionate about”- Sec. Perez about NSC Cyber Tech Completer

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THE SOLUTION – Race to A Job

Race to A Job: An Innovative Education/Foundation Partnership to Creatively Prepare Entry-Level Cyber Technology Workers

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THE SOLUTION – Race to A Job

Strategy for Race to a Job:

Wadhwani Foundation Selects Job Program for

RTAJ

Industry and College Partners Provide Subject Matter

Expertise (SME) and curriculum

Instructional Design Team (WF) and SME

Design Hybrid Program

Colleges pilots effectiveness of hybrid

program

WF in partnership with college, industry, and

stakeholders scales offering of program

Continuous Cycle of

Curriculum Enhancement and Updating

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THE SOLUTION – Race to a Job

Cyber Technology Certificate Conversion

Curriculum Overview: Certificate = 30 Credits (450 hours)

To be converted first round:

• Theory and Troubleshooting Microcomputers I and II (3 credits / 45 hours each)

• Network Security Fundamentals• CYB 270 Cyber Capstone (1 credit / 15 hours)

Already converted (STEM Bridge could be enhanced):

• Core Skills 1 through 3 for STEM – Already online in Platform +, available as OER presently (1 credit / 15 hours each)

• Cisco Networking 1 through 4 - Already online in Cisco Networking Academy (4 credit / 60 hours each)

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THE SOLUTION – Race to A Job

Wadhwani Foundation Pilot 2: Cyber Technology Certificate

A Collaboration between Wadhwani Foundation, the National STEM Consortium and Anne Arundel Community College

Why Cyber Technology:

• National Job Growth (2010-2020): 22%

• Expected to add 750k+ jobs in 2010-2020

• According to a recent study (March, 2013) by Burning Glass International, Demand for cyber technology workers is growing 3.5 times faster than the overall IT job market, and 12 times faster than the total labor market.

• Rapidly changing curriculum makes for high probability of adoption by larger numbers of colleges

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THE SOLUTION – Race to A Job

Race to a Job Scenario Example: Securing your wireless network

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THE SOLUTION – Race to A Job

Industry Driven Approach

Employer Information Sharing Session – May 2014

• 19 Employers from Technology, Banking, Health, and Education professions• 2 Discussion groups

Discussion topics included topics such as: What skills do you see lacking in entry level hires in the cybersecurity field? What opportunities do you see for improving the landscape of training in

cybersecurity? What are the challenges you face in hiring for this field?

Key Takeaways: Entry level hires have theoretical knowledge but are lacking in practical skills

and business fundamentals. Leveraging experiential/hands-on learning as a means to improve the

landscape of training. Challenges in hiring including intimidating/unrealistic vacancy

announcements.

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THE SOLUTION – Race to A Job

Proposed Programmatic Outputs

• Enhance NSC Cyber Technology curriculum

• Increase access to cybersecurity education and training by leveraging technology

• Scenario-based learning developed in collaboration with industry partners

• Serve as a model for other educational programs around the nation

“What Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have done for access to academic education, and what Khan Academy has done for the delivery of math education, is what the Wadhwani Foundation seeks to do for the delivery of workforce education through Race to a Job.”

- Dr. Ajay Kela, Wadhwani Foundation CEO

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THE SOLUTION – Cyber Analyst Training Initiative

Cyber Analyst Continuing Education Certificate of CompletionA Creative Partnership Between Academia and Industry

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THE SOLUTION – Cyber Analyst Training Initiative

• “Un-Buzz” the cybersecurity buzzword by delivering cybersecurity training contextualized to a specific job role

• Training designed to help participants develop into practitioners, not theorists

• Instruction helps participants pass industry certification exams by building knowledge, skills and abilities before introducing certification preparation

• Courses are structured to teach practical application of skills

• Curriculum developed and delivered by Cyber Analysts with a combined 60+ years of experience in the field

• Curriculum developed through a creative partnership between OPS Consulting and AACC’s CyberCenter

The Need

Our Approach

- “Cyber Intelligence Workforce” Troy Townsend and Melissa Kasen Ludwick, September 17, 2013

1. Cyber Analyst I – Gain Knowledge

2. Network+ Certification Exam Prep

3. Cyber Analyst II – Practice Skills

4. Security+ Certification Exam Prep

5. Cyber Analyst III – Demonstrate Abilities

6. Certified Ethical Hacker Exam Prep

For more information about the Cyber Analyst Continuing Education Certificate of Completion curriculum contact Michael Volk by phone at 410-777-7047 or by email at wmvolk@aacc.edu.

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THE SOLUTION – Cyber Analyst Training Initiative

The Curriculum:

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THE SOLUTION – Cyber Analyst Training Initiative

Proposed Programmatic Outputs

• Model for collaboration between industry and academia – shared resources to achieve common goals

• Scenario-based learning developed in collaboration with industry partners

• Complement/enhance traditional theory based and foundational academic programs that are limited by credit restrictions

• Long term goal is to leverage technology and other community college partners to increase access in our region and beyond

Proposed Participant Outputs

• Help “Un-Buzz” the cybersecurity buzzword by delivering cybersecurity training contextualized to a specific job role

• Help new pipeline workers interested in careers as Cyber Analysts develop job relevant knowledge and skills

• Help the incumbent workforce maintain and build new skills

• Develop practitioners, not theorists

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Thank You!

Marcelle LeeInstructional Specialist, AACC CyberCenter

410-777-1361mylee@aacc.edu

Michael VolkBusiness Development Coordinator, AACC

CyberCenter410-777-7047

wmvolk@aacc.edu