The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), a partnership led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that emphasizes cybersecurity education, training and workforce development, has published the Cybersecurity Workforce Framework to help employers identify, recruit and develop cybersecurity talent.The framework features a lexicon that classifies and describes cybersecurity work by category, specialty area and work role, NIST stated. By doing so, the framework allows employers to use consistent language in professional development initiatives, industry certifications, academic credentials and workforce training programs.Employers can use the framework to define or provide guidance on different aspects of cybersecurity workforce development, planning, training and education, according to NIST.
The framework supports cybersecurity professionals and those who want to enter the cybersecurity field, along with HR staffing specialists and guidance counselors, NIST indicated. It also helps job-seekers and students understand which work roles and associated knowledge, skills and abilities that employers value most.
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In addition, the framework enables employers to:- Inventory and track their cybersecurity workforce.
- Analyze a workforce's strengths and gaps in terms of knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Identify training and qualification requirements.
- Improve position descriptions and job vacancy announcements.
- Define relevant work roles.
- Develop career paths for staff.
- Establish a shared terminology between hiring managers and human resources (HR) staff for recruitment, retention and training.
