Mastering the cyber security skills crisis
Adam P. Henry · 2020
The cyber security skills crisis is a key policy issue in many countries, and governments look to universities to address it. The chapter outlines cyber security education as being multi-faceted and multidisciplinary and then identifies current gaps in university-based offerings. The chapter proposes a new multi-level matrix, the Cyberspace Education Framework. This framework allows a high-level comprehensive view of cyberspace education. Current generalist Master’s programmes in Australia are investigated and it is proposed that mission-specific and purpose-driven courses may better prepare students and address the skills crisis than generalist degrees. A survey of cyber security Master’s students at one university and discussions with other stakeholders revealed a contrast between expectations. The chapter then compares the current educational learning outcomes of Master’s programmes in Australia with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) set out in the US Government’s work standards document as a proxy for what would be required for five cyber work roles of high national importance to Australia. The chapter concludes that the requirement for purpose-driven and mission-specific cyber security education is increasing and recommends that this become a focus of new initiatives in cyber security education.