Cybersecurity Modules Aligned with Undergraduate Computer Science and Engineering Curricula

该项目旨在通过改善网络安全概念在本科计算机课程中的教学方式，为国家利益服务。设计和维护网络安全计算系统的需求变得越来越重要。因此，未来的技术人员必须接受培训，具备安全思维，以便他们在系统设计期间而不是之后考虑网络安全。本项目旨在通过为计算机工程和计算机科学与工程的核心课程构建即插即用、动手操作的网络安全模块来实现这一目标。这些模块将与计算机协会推荐的课程保持一致，并将被设计成易于在全国范围内的计算机项目中采用。模块的设计将整合到入门和高级课程中，从而帮助学生在学习计算机课程的过程中深入了解网络安全。预计该项目将鼓励更多的学生在网络安全领域从事职业或获得更高的学位。该项目将研究如何将这些模块最好地整合到现有课程中，以及这些模块对学生学习和对网络安全的兴趣的影响。评估将利用多种方法，包括(a)任务负荷指数来量化严谨性，(b)调查以深入了解学生的安全思维和网络安全观念的发展，以及(c)使用分析性课程大纲分析学习情况。该项目的可交付成果将包括一套即插即用的网络安全模块，适用于计算机工程和计算机科学与工程课程，涵盖从入门到高级水平，满足内容广度和深度的标准。结果将通过出版物、简报、新闻稿和社交媒体传播，以确保项目成果得到广泛分享。美国国家科学基金会改善本科STEM教育：教育和人力资源计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生STEM教育的有效性。通过参与学生学习轨道，该计划支持有前途的实践和工具的创建，探索和实施。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interest by improving how cybersecurity concepts are taught in undergraduate computing curricula. The need to design and maintain cyber-secure computing systems is increasingly important. As a result, the future technology workforce must be trained to have a security mindset, so that they consider cybersecurity during rather than after system design. This project aims to achieve this goal by building plug-and-play, hands-on cybersecurity modules for core courses in Computer Engineering, and Computer Science and Engineering. The modules will align with the curricula recommended by the Association for Computing Machinery and will be designed for easy adoption into computing programs nationwide. Modules will be designed for integration into both introductory and advanced courses, thus helping students develop in-depth understanding of cybersecurity as they progress through their computing curriculum. It is expected that the project will encourage more students to pursue careers or higher degrees in the field of cybersecurity. The project will examine how the modules may be best integrated into existing curricula and the effects of the modules on student learning and interest in cybersecurity. Assessment will leverage several methods including (a) a task load index to quantify rigor, (b) surveys to gain insight into the development of students' security mindset and perceptions of cybersecurity, and (c) analysis of learning using analytical course rubrics. Deliverables of this project will include a suite of plug-and-play cybersecurity modules for Computer Engineering and Computer Science and Engineering courses that span from introductory to advanced levels and that meet standards for content breadth and depth. The results will be disseminated through publications, presentations, press releases, and social media to ensure that project outcomes are shared widely. The NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Education and Human Resources Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.