The National Cybersecurity Teaching Coalition: Expanding Cybersecurity Education Opportunities

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of cybersecurity threats and the shortage of qualified professionals necessitate innovative solutions for cybersecurity education at all levels. Despite the expansion of postsecondary cybersecurity programs, employer dissatisfaction with graduates and a lack of standardized introductory curricula highlights the need for structured secondary education pathways. The National Cybersecurity Teaching Coalition (NCTC) and its National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy (NCTA) address this gap by equipping high school educators with the necessary knowledge and credentials to teach cybersecurity effectively. NCTA offers an 18-credit cybersecurity graduate certificate program to ensure teachers are competent and confident to develop and teach cybersecurity curriculum with consistent learning outcomes across institutions. This paper examines the state of the cybersecurity workforce, the development of the NCTA program and curriculum, and the evolution of the program. Additionally, this paper evaluates the NCTA program based on external evaluation results, emphasizing the importance of qualified educators in fostering cybersecurity awareness and career readiness. Future initiatives focus on professionalizing cybersecurity, developing state-level licensing and endorsements, and reinforcing the role of educators in securing the nation against evolving cyber threats.