When the National CyberWatch Center started in 2005, quality Information Assurance curriculum was in short supply, so the development of new curriculum was a necessity. In 2006, the National CyberWatch Center, working in conjunction with Anne Arundel Community College, developed model Information Assurance and Computer Forensics curricula, which supported the growth of cybersecurity education nationally, including complete courses for Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees and multiple certificates.

Building on its model curriculum base, the National CyberWatch Center expanded the reach of cybersecurity education curriculum in several other ways, including the sharing of stackable credential models. These specialized certificates allow students to earn multiple certificates while pursuing their Associates degree and to earn industry credentials by sitting for industry certification exams.

As you would expect in a fast evolving discipline like Information Security, the Information Assurance and Computer Forensics degree and certificate programs have gone through several revisions throughout the years. Efforts in the past two years to update these model curricula have been delayed due to significant changes to both the National Security Agency /Department of Homeland Security Center National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense program requirements and the National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. With both of these federal and national efforts on more stable ground, the work of updating and expanding the National CyberWatch Center curriculum offerings has continued in full earnest.

AN EFFECTIVE CURRICULUM:

The following illustrates the design consideration and elements of effective curriculum that have gone into this latest iteration of our degrees, certificates, and technical courses:

  • Up-to-date
  • Focused on fundamentals
  • Performance-based
  • Modular
  • Aligned with job roles
  • Mapped to federal and national standards
  • Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM)-compliant
  • All Digital
  • Capped at 60 credits/units
  • Aligned with industry certifications
  • Articulated with four-year schools