Integrating Soft/Entrepreneurial Skills for Success in Cybersecurity

如今，组织比以往任何时候都更需要网络防御技术来保护其宝贵的、私人的和机密的资产。根据美国劳工统计局的数据，从2012年到2022年，信息安全分析师的就业预计将增长37%，远远快于所有职业的平均水平。2012年，学院的计算机和信息科学系开发了一个信息保障（IA）集中关注网络安全，作为应用科学学位课程的计算机和信息科学副学士的一部分。最近进行的DACUM确定了“软技能”作为一个网络安全专业的成功至关重要。该项目的重点是招募和留住高中生，并为他们提供综合技术，创业和软技能。 通过修改现有课程，开发新课程，将基于问题的学习引入课堂，并邀请行业领导者担任客座讲师，该项目将提高该地区网络安全技术人员的质量，数量和多样性。 利用学院和各种ATE网络安全中心开发的现有资源;该项目还将建立在当地高中的合作伙伴关系和学院服务领域行业目前的专业知识基础上。 这一努力的结果将通过提供信息技术和网络安全方面的熟练，训练有素的员工或潜在的继续学习学生，对地区高中，大学和当地行业产生积极影响。 该项目还将通过各种活动采用学生招聘和保留战略，例如：教师与高中指导顾问，教师和未来的学生进行访问，并赞助高中职业日。 在当今竞争激烈的工作环境中，所需的技术技能对未来的雇主来说是不够的。 该项目还将为学生提供在网络安全领域脱颖而出所需的技术和软创业技能的必要组合。

Today more than ever organizations need cyber defense technology to protect their valuable, private, and confidential assets. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 37% from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. In 2012 the Computer and Information Sciences Department at the College developed an Information Assurance (IA) concentration focusing on cybersecurity as part of the Computer and Information Sciences Associate of Applied Science degree programs. A recently conducted DACUM identified "soft skills" as critical for success as a cybersecurity professional.The focus of this project is to recruit and retain high school students, and provide them with combined technical, entrepreneurial, and soft skills. By modifying existing courses, developing new courses, introducing problem-based learning into the classroom, and engaging industry leaders as guest lecturers, the project will improve the quality, quantity, and diversity of cybersecurity technicians in the area workforce. Utilizing existing resources developed by the college and various ATE cybersecurity centers; the project will also build on partnerships at local high schools and expertise currently in place at industries in the college's service area. The outcome of this effort will positively impact area high schools, colleges, and local industry by providing a skillful, trained employee or a prospective continuing student in information technology and cybersecurity. The project will also employ strategies for student recruitment and retention through a variety of activities such as: visitations by faculty with high school guidance counselors, teachers and prospective students, and sponsoring high school career days. In today's competitive work environment, the required technical skills are not enough for future employers. This project will also equip students with the requisite combination of technical and soft entrepreneurial skills needed to excel in the field of cybersecurity.