The NICE Cyber Security Framework: Cyber Security Intelligence and Analytics

This updated textbook is for courses in cyber security education that follow the US National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) framework, that adopts the Competency-Based Education (CBE) method. The book follows the CBE general framework, meaning each chapter contains three sections, knowledge and questions, and skills/labs for Skills, and Abilities. The author makes an explicit balance between knowledge and skills material in information security, giving readers immediate applicable skills. The book is divided into seven parts: Securely Provision; Operate and Maintain; Oversee and Govern; Protect and Defend; Analysis; Operate and Collect; Investigate. All classroom materials (in the book an ancillary) adhere to the NICE framework.

The new edition includes more details and KSAs related to cyber analytics work roles. The changes include the following new chapters: Chapter 14: Collection Operations, Chapter 15: Computer Network Defense, Chapter 16: Data Analysis, Chapter 17: Intelligent Analysis, Chapter 18: Target Development, Chapter 19: Threat Analysis, and Chapter 20: Vulnerabilities Assessment           

Dr. Izzat Alsmadi is an Associate Professor in the department of computing and cyber security at the Texas A&M, San Antonio. He has his master and PhD in Software Engineering from North Dakota State University. He has more than 100 conference and journal publications. His research interests include:Software security, software engineering, software testing, social networks and software defined networking. He is lead editor of Information Fusion for Cyber-Security Analytics, Alsmadi, Izzat M, Karabatis, George, Aleroud, Ahmed, Springer, 2017. The author is also a member of The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) group, which meets frequently to discuss enhancements on cyber security education at the national level.