National CyberWatch Communicator | Volume 2 October Edition

Cybersecurity Skills Journal (CSJ)

Do you have something to share about cybersecurity skills and development? The Cybersecurity Skills Journal: Practice and Research is looking for papers. It is the nation's first peer-reviewed, hybrid-access scholarly publication focused exclusively on cybersecurity skills. It seeks to raise the capability spectrum of the cybersecurity workforce through open and free dissemination of research on evidence-based practices and private access to digital tools and practice guides. Read more HERE .

Skill Up to Scale Up

Join us Nov. 14 or Nov. 16 for a scrapbooking exercise to convert Outcomes-Based Education tests into Competency-Based Mastery Learning (CBML) assessments. Bring along your favorite textbook exam bank questions for courses in Networking, Scripting, and Linux/Windows Server Administration fundamentals. Learn how to rapidly design a CBML concept inventory assessment by re-writing test banks to create an open-source assessment library that can be validated and shared through the National CyberWatch's Curriculum Standards Panel program.

FREE Membership Ends Tonight

To kick off National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), the National Cybersecurity Student Association is giving away free memberships for all students (18+ years old). The Student Association offers a wide variety of resources for IT, Computer Science, and Information Security students and faculty as they aim to expand cybersecurity awareness and education across the nation! This offer ends tonight, October 19 at 11:59p.m. ET.

NCSAM-NCC (must use .edu email to qualify)

NICE Webinar Series

The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) webinar series continues with a session on “Upskilling and Reskilling the Workforce for Cybersecurity Roles,” on Wed., Nov. 14, 2 p.m. ET. A new employer trend is to provide upskilling and reskilling training for current employees to move into cyber-based roles within the company. Speakers include Kathleen Hyde, chair of Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Programs and assistant professor at Champlain College online, and Chad Johnson, senior cybersecurity analyst at Fidelity Investments. Register HERE .

National Science Foundation Pilot

The National Science Foundation created the new Community College Cyber Pilot program, which issued three awards to project leads that will build research collaborations among partners in six states. Projects will integrate research on successful practices in persistence and retention strategies for veterans and underrepresented STEM majors. Scholarships also will be divided among bachelor degree recipients, veterans or those pursuing associate degrees or certifications in cybersecurity. Learn more HERE .

In Case You Missed It

Watch Dr. David DeMaris' recorded webcast as he provides a qualitative overview of the major types of machine learning algorithms, some of their strengths and limitations, historical trends, and how to apply them to the activity streams of computation and networking. Dr. DeMaris also covers some of the attacks designed to defeat machine learning. Watch webcast HERE .

National Apprenticeship Week

Across the country, businesses and companies will demonstrate their support and awareness of apprenticeships during the fourth annual National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 12-18. Apprenticeship sponsors can showcase their programs, facilities and apprentices in their community while highlighting the importance and significance of these highly-skilled workers. Want to participate or get involved? Learn more HERE .

Girl Scouts Journey Badge

Thanks to the winning submission by Guy Garrett from Gulf Coast State College for Innovation in Cybersecurity Education in Local Partnerships, young Girl Scouts were able to earn a badge and simultaneously empowered to learn about careers in the STEM field.The "Think Like a Programmer" Journey badge introduced girls in kindergarten through fifth grade about programming and cybersecurity in a fun, engaging and simple way.

Learn all their interactive games HERE .

Funding for Center in Osceola County

The University of Central Florida (National CyberWatch member), along with Osceola County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, are all partners in Bridging the Information Development Gap, a non-profit private-public partnership that just received $30 million in federal funds. That money will establish a Microelectronics Cybersecurity Center in Kissimmee, Florida, as well as develop microelectronic devices in a secure environment. Read more HERE .

Quantifying Security Incidents Loss

Corporate board of directors and C-level executives are increasingly concerned about cybersecurity. They want to know the risks that their companies face, their security preparedness and the effectiveness of those preparations and defenses. Teams tasked with security who report to C-suites and boards require accurate metrics that are accessible and relevant to non-specialist audiences. Read Cisco’s White Paper on their process to consistently capture and quantify losses from security incidents and compare them against an established industry benchmark.