Rapid Capability Development for a Cyber-effective Navy
Abstract
The proposed work will provide experience-based training for military-affiliated NROTC students that targets desired cyber skills for incoming officers mapped to specific military job roles. The training will also be shared with Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, veteran, active duty, and dependents to broaden benefit to DoD.Research Problem and Objectives: Cybersecurity threats to Navy interests are present for installations and operations. Most concerning is the area of cybersecurity concerned with Advanced Persistent Threats that are carried out by a well-informed and financed actor, typically nation-states or a coordinated group, that directs large-scale targeted intrusions for specific goals such as disabling communications, taking out a power network, and disabling force protection.These zero-day events can come without warning, after hackers have spent months or perhaps years developing the competence, intelligence, and access to achieve the desired end. Outcomes may include full loss of communications, power, water and sewer controls, heating and cooling, and defense equipment. The standard approach to hardening cyber infrastructure or limiting accessis insufficient for vulnerabilities or threat vectors that may not be known. Advances in STEM education and training programs are needed to rapidly equip Navy and civilian cybersecurity professionals with the required capabilities to maintain mission readiness and be resilient to known and unknown cyber threats.Technical Approach: Six training packages will provide NROTC students with directly translatable cyber skills to their desired career pathways both during and following military service. Desired cyber skills for incoming officers will be identified and mapped to the proposed training programs, and trainees will be selected based on interest in job codes and officer specialties related to cyber to ensure targeted impact. Learning objectives and curriculum content within each training package will also reference the public-private National Initiative forCybersecurity Education framework to allow mapping to knowledge, skills, abilities, and tasks to perform in various cybersecurity-related work roles within the DoD.Research Outcomes: Approximately 175 students are expected to directly benefit from receiving training. We also expect the program will engage students to continually learn during their civilian professions and translate those skills back to the military for improved national security over the course of their careers. Each training package builds connections between NROTC students to thebroader US cyber community, and when possible, leverages existing training programs and credentialing that can be used post-ONR funding for maintaining and growing skillsets.Impact to DoD Capability: The training programs presented address requirements and goals as outlined in National Defense Authorization Act, National Defense Strategy, DoN Energy Program for Security and Independence, and Naval Research Development Framework. Additionally, we will develop and document a process for cyber training specific to USCYBERCOM. This processwill be used to develop and deliver training material for the proposed programs, and upon final reporting, will provide a framework for Navy and project partners to continually advance cybersecurity capabilities for NROTC and Navy S&T professionals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 11, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142012803
Entities
People
- Nathan G. Johnson
Organizations
- Arizona State University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy