Integrated Cybersecurity Education Communities (ICEC): Expansion of a Portable Cybersecurity Education Teacher-Focused Model

The program addresses a priority area implemented by Presidential Policy Directive/PPD-8 (http://www.dhs.gov/presidential-policy-directive-8-national-preparedness) through its alignment with the campaign to build and sustain national preparedness. The program provides Federal financial assistance toward community-based efforts to increase knowledge of cybersecurity topics and encourage interest in cybersecurity as an academic pursuit and as a professional career. Program Objectives In accordance with the above priority area, DHS has an interest in promoting cybersecurity education in State and local government agencies and educational institutions, as well as providing a mechanism whereby cybersecurity education is available not only in the form of the such as these are key to developing students’ interest in the cybersecurity career field at an early stage to bolster the pipeline of future cybersecurity professionals - an important objective of DHS and of the President. DHS also recognizes that educational summer camps offer a unique method of reaching students outside of the traditional classroom setting. Therefore, DHS developed the following five goals: 1. Expand awareness of cybersecurity issues in highlighting the DHS-State government student-teacher education and training program 2. Explore and encourage cybersecurity career paths 3. Train and educate on technical elements of cybersecurity to include: threat analysis, cryptography, identification, authentication, access, and authorization process 4. Identify a portable model to aid in replication to other States and pilot that model 5. Provide the means to measure the long-term effects of the camp on the participating students and teachers to include: the number of students who choose to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines through academia as well as in their career choice and the level of impact on additional students from the teachers who receive professional development training. The awardee must be able to present a portable model that addresses all five goals, while focusing on high school teachers. Starting in FY13, this effort will expand the use of the portable model meeting all five goals to reach multiple communities in the United States. Applicants are advised to review and remain cognizant of, eligibility criteria in section III as well as the “non-responsive” bullets summarized in the first part of section V, in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.