As an Assistant Professor in Cybersecurity, I find the educational objectives of the US National Cybersecurity Strategy, released by the Biden-Harris administration in March 2023, particularly noteworthy due to the critical necessity for educating netizens on how to deal with cyberthreats (e.g., misinformation and deepfakes) empowered by the Generative Artificial Intelligence (GeNAI) tools. This strategy states: "We must build a diverse and robust cybersecurity workforce by investing in education and training programs that reach all Americans, from K-12 through higher education and beyond." This rhetoric, while well-intentioned, reveals both promising directions and significant gaps in contemporary educational policy.

US National Cyber Workforce Development and Education Strategy Overview.

This strategy's emphasis on workforce development and universal access to cybersecurity education reflects a growing recognition of cyber-wellness or digital media literacy as a fundamental social demand for setting forth an approach to cyber education and workforce development. However, it has some limitations in several critical areas:

1. Educational Depth:

- The strategy focuses primarily on workforce development, not educating all ranges of netizens (e.g., underage kids, students, elderly adults, and employees).

- Lacks a comprehensive discussion of critical digital literacy

- Overlooks the importance of ethical considerations in cybersecurity education

- Fails to address the need for interdisciplinary approaches

2. Social Equity Concerns:

- While mentioning "diversity," it does not provide concrete mechanisms for achieving it

- Lacks specific strategies for addressing the digital divide

- Does not adequately address accessibility issues

- Fails to consider socioeconomic barriers to education

3. Implementation Gaps:

- No clear metrics for measuring educational success

- Limited discussion of teacher training and support

- Absence of specific funding mechanisms

- Lack of integration with existing educational frameworks

4. Missing Elements:

- Insufficient attention to privacy education

- Limited focus on critical thinking skills

- Inadequate consideration of lifelong learning

- Weak emphasis on ethical decision-making

While acknowledging the importance of cybersecurity education, the strategy's rhetoric demonstrates a narrow view of education's role in society. It prioritizes workforce development over broader educational goals, potentially limiting the development of well-rounded digital citizens.

References:

1- https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/oncd/national-cybersecurity-strategy/

2- https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NCWES-2023.07.31.pdf

2- Lostri E, Pell S. The Biden Administration’s Implementation Plan for the National Cybersecurity Strategy. Lawfare. 2023 Sep 19.