Cybersecurity

Specialty Area

Content Progression

Cybersecurity is the protection against access to, or alteration of, computing systems, networks, and sensitive information through the use of technology, processes, and training (K-12 CS Framework). The foundational content for all students includes some learning outcomes related to cybersecurity. For continued learning beyond the foundation, we have defined the following content progression that includes two additional levels (fundamentals and specialty) that progressively build on this content. This progression might lead to a major in cybersecurity or to earning industry certifications, followed by a career as a network technician, security analyst, or network systems administrator.

Foundation

Prioritized Foundational Content Specific to Cybersecurity:

Types of hardware and software (including operating systems)
How hardware/ software work together
Security practices (e.g., safe passwords, two-factor authentication)
Importance of cybersecurity
How networks work
Optimizing networking and operating system (OS) settings
Troubleshooting
Using documentation
Network vulnerabilities
Ethical issues (e.g., digital divide)

Fundamentals

CIA (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) triad, states of data, and types of controls
Basics of digital communication (open systems interconnection (OSI) model, protocols, ports, etc.)
Network fundamentals (protocols, topologies, and addressings; network hardware and their roles (servers, switches, routers, endpoints, firewalls))
Command line in various operating systems
Network troubleshooting
Network management tools
Basic computing systems
Cybersecurity-related hardware/software roles and components
Basic understanding of file systems
Impact of cybersecurity on society and critical infrastructure
Small office/home office (SOHO) /home networks
Types of attacks, threats, vulnerabilities, and basic remediation strategies
Wifi versus Internet
Public networks
Network addressing (Internet protocol (IP) addressing, medium access control (MAC) addressing)
Careers in cybersecurity
Scripting
Impact of AI on cybersecurity

Specialty

High-level understanding of policies and why they matter
Basic application security
Basic hosting security
Scripting
Incident response
Ethical hacking and penetration testing basics
Risk management
Business continuity
More on organizational policies (e.g., impact of regulations and law)
Emerging technologies’ impact on cybersecurity
Connecting to hardware through programming languages (e.g., C++, Python)
Database access controls
Model implementation of major networking protocols
Implications and impacts of different network topologies
Cloud computing
Communicating security policies to nonexperts
Network troubleshooting
Emerging technologies (e.g., blockchain)
Industry certifications
Lifelong learning in cybersecurity

Example Course Pathway

The cybersecurity content progression can be packaged in a variety of ways to meet the local context and needs of individual schools and districts. This cybersecurity course pathway serves as an example of how content in this specialty can be implemented in high schools. Each box represents a course and can be expanded to view a corresponding description.

Foundation

see below

Computer Science Foundations

Computer Science Foundations supports all high school students, regardless of postsecondary goals, in developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to navigate and understand the technology-driven world in which they live. Course content, organized into five Topic Areas (Algorithms, Programming, Data and Analysis, Computing Systems and Security, and Preparing for the Future), rests upon four Key Pillars (Computational Thinking, Inclusive Collaboration, Human-Centered Design, and Impacts and Ethics). Topic Areas and Pillars are essential components of this course and the student experience (see Section 2 of this report for more details).

Fundamentals

see below

Programming the Future

Programming the Future provides students who have a foundational understanding of computer science with an opportunity to explore various topics such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science. While developing their programming skills, students will apply fundamental ideas in these areas to solve meaningful and interesting problems. Content covered in this course aligns with fundamentals content from the Programming, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science content progressions as defined in Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and 3.5.

Specialty

see below

Information and Network Security

Innovations in artificial intelligence and quantum computing underscore the importance of securing information, programs, and applications for both personal and societal safety. Information and Network Security is intended to follow foundational programming and introductory cybersecurity learning experiences and prepare students for advanced study or workplace application of cybersecurity principles. The course involves learning about and applying security practices in authentic environments and contexts where possible. Content covered in this course aligns with specialty content from the Cybersecurity content progression as defined in Section 3.2.

Advanced Application

see below

Cybersecurity Capstone

The Pathway Capstone Course is an opportunity for students to apply advanced computer science knowledge and problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills to tackle a personally meaningful computing project. Students will design innovative solutions and present them to authentic audiences, preparing them for future academic and professional pursuits. This course is designed to inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and demonstrate proficiency in real-world application of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions developed during prior coursework and experiences.

View the Implementation and Integrating CS pages to learn more about how to teach foundational and specialty content to students.