NICE Workforce Framework WiCyS Video Album

The NIST NICE Workforce Framework is a resource by NIST NICE that describes the work and the roles in the cybersecurity profession. It provides the main building blocks for characterizing the tasks, knowledge, and skills that are needed for the cybersecurity work done by professionals. This framework’s intended audience is everyone who is either interested in cybersecurity or already in cybersecurity.

While the NIST NICE Framework provides helpful references and information for cybersecurity work roles, WiCyS would like to further illustrate these work roles with a video album of women who are already actively working in these roles. In this NIST NICE Workforce Framework WiCyS Video Album to be created in collaboration with the Cybersecurity Education, Research and Outreach Center at Tennessee Tech, we feature members of our WiCyS community currently serving in these work roles with a 5-minute interview discussing the work role of the cybersecurity professional. This will not only promote more awareness of these work roles but also highlight women who are under-represented in cyber as role-models. This will allow young girls to see and hear from people who look like them and sound like them speaking to them about their jobs in cyber.

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NIST NICE Workforce Framework WiCyS Video Album

The NIST NICE Framework is comprised of the following components:

  • Categories (7) – A high-level grouping of common cybersecurity functions
  • Specialty Areas (33) – Distinct areas of cybersecurity work
  • Work Roles (52) – The most detailed groupings of cybersecurity work comprised of specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required to perform tasks in a Work Role

Click the categories below to view WiCyS member work role videos under each specialty area.

SECURELY PROVISION CATEGORY

Conceptualizes, designs, procures, and/or builds secure information technology (IT) systems, with responsibility for aspects of system and/or network development.

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Risk Management Specialty Area

Oversees, evaluates, and supports the documentation, validation, assessment, and authorization processes necessary to assure that existing and new information technology (IT) systems meet the organization’s cybersecurity and risk requirements. Ensures appropriate treatment of risk, compliance, and assurance from internal and external perspectives.

Software Development Specialty Area

Develops and writes/codes new (or modifies existing) computer applications, software, or specialized utility programs following software assurance best practices.

Systems Architecture Specialty Area

Develops system concepts and works on the capabilities phases of the systems development life cycle; translates technology and environmental conditions (e.g., law and regulation) into system and security designs and processes.

Technology R&D Specialty Area

Conducts technology assessment and integration processes; provides and supports a prototype capability and/or evaluates its utility.

Systems Requirements Planner Specialty Area

Consults with customers to gather and evaluate functional requirements and translates these requirements into technical solutions. Provides guidance to customers about applicability of information systems to meet business needs.

Test and Evaluation Specialty Area

Develops and conducts tests of systems to evaluate compliance with specifications and requirements by applying principles and methods for cost-effective planning, evaluating, verifying, and validating of technical, functional, and performance characteristics (including interoperability) of systems or elements of systems incorporating IT.

Systems Development Specialty Area

Works on the development phases of the systems development life cycle.

    OPERATE AND MAINTAIN CATEGORY

    Provides the support, administration, and maintenance necessary to ensure effective and efficient information technology (IT) system performance and security.

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    Database Administration Specialty Area

    Develops and administers databases and/or data management systems that allow for the storage, query, protection, and utilization of data.

    Knowledge Management Specialty Area

    Manages and administers processes and tools that enable the organization to identify, document, and access intellectual capital and information content.

    Customer Service and Technical Support Specialty Area

    Addresses problems; installs, configures, troubleshoots, and provides maintenance and training in response to customer requirements or inquiries (e.g., tiered-level customer support). Typically provides initial incident information to the Incident Response (IR) Specialty.

    Network Services Specialty Area

    Installs, configures, tests, operates, maintains, and manages networks and their firewalls, including hardware (e.g., hubs, bridges, switches, multiplexers, routers, cables, proxy servers, and protective distributor systems) and software that permit the sharing and transmission of all spectrum transmissions of information to support the security of information and information systems.

    Systems Administration Specialty Area

    Installs, configures, troubleshoots, and maintains server configurations (hardware and software) to ensure their confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Manages accounts, firewalls, and patches. Responsible for access control, passwords, and account creation and administration.

    Systems Analysis Specialty Area

    Studies an organization’s current computer systems and procedures, and designs information systems solutions to help the organization operate more securely, efficiently, and effectively. Brings business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.

    OVERSEE AND GOVERN CATEGORY

    Provides leadership, management, direction, or development and advocacy so the organization may effectively conduct cybersecurity work.

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    Legal Advice and Advocacy Specialty Area

    Provides legally sound advice and recommendations to leadership and staff on a variety of relevant topics within the pertinent subject domain. Advocates legal and policy changes, and makes a case on behalf of client via a wide range of written and oral work products, including legal briefs and proceedings.

    Training, Education, and Awareness Specialty Area

    Conducts training of personnel within pertinent subject domain. Develops, plans, coordinates, delivers and/or evaluates training courses, methods, and techniques as appropriate.

    Cybersecurity Management Specialty Area

    Oversees the cybersecurity program of an information system or network, including managing information security implications within the organization, specific program, or other area of responsibility, to include strategic, personnel, infrastructure, requirements, policy enforcement, emergency planning, security awareness, and other resources.

    Strategic Planning and Policy Specialty Area

    Develops policies and plans and/or advocates for changes in policy that support organizational cyberspace initiatives or required changes/enhancements.

    Executive Cyber Leadership Specialty Area

    Supervises, manages, and/or leads work and workers performing cyber and cyber-related and/or cyber operations work.

    Acquisition and Program/Project Management Specialty Area

    Applies knowledge of data, information, processes, organizational interactions, skills, and analytical expertise, as well as systems, networks, and information exchange capabilities to manage acquisition programs. Executes duties governing hardware, software, and information system acquisition programs and other program management policies. Provides direct support for acquisitions that use information technology (IT) (including National Security Systems), applying IT-related laws and policies, and provides IT-related guidance throughout the total acquisition life cycle.

    PROTECT AND DEFEND CATEGORY

    Identifies, analyzes, and mitigates threats to internal information technology (IT) systems and/or networks.

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    Cyber Defense Analysis Specialty Area

    Uses defensive measures and information collected from a variety of sources to identify, analyze, and report events that occur or might occur within the network to protect information, information systems, and networks from threats.

    Cyber Defense Infrastructure Specialty Area

    Tests, implements, deploys, maintains, reviews, and administers the infrastructure hardware and software that are required to effectively manage the computer network defense service provider network and resources. Monitors network to actively remediate unauthorized activities.

    Incident Response Specialty Area

    Responds to crises or urgent situations within the pertinent domain to mitigate immediate and potential threats. Uses mitigation, preparedness, and response and recovery approaches, as needed, to maximize survival of life, preservation of property, and information security. Investigates and analyzes all relevant response activities.

    Vulnerability Assessment and Management Specialty Area

    Conducts assessments of threats and vulnerabilities; determines deviations from acceptable configurations, enterprise or local policy; assesses the level of risk; and develops and/or recommends appropriate mitigation countermeasures in operational and nonoperational situations.

     

    ANALYZE CATEGORY

    Performs highly-specialized review and evaluation of incoming cybersecurity information to determine its usefulness for intelligence.

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    Threat Analysis Specialty Area

    Identifies and assesses the capabilities and activities of cybersecurity criminals or foreign intelligence entities; produces findings to help initialize or support law enforcement and counterintelligence investigations or activities

    Exploitation Analysis Specialty Area

    Analyzes collected information to identify vulnerabilities and potential for exploitation.

    All-Source Analysis Specialty Area

    Analyzes threat information from multiple sources, disciplines, and agencies across the Intelligence Community. Synthesizes and places intelligence information in context; draws insights about the possible implications.

    Targets Specialty Area

    Applies current knowledge of one or more regions, countries, non-state entities, and/or technologies.

    Language Analysis Specialty Area

    Applies language, cultural, and technical expertise to support information collection, analysis, and other cybersecurity activities.

     

      COLLECT AND OPERATE CATEGORY

      Provides specialized denial and deception operations and collection of cybersecurity information that may be used to develop intelligence.

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      Collection Operations Specialty Area

      Executes collection using appropriate strategies and within the priorities established through the collection management process.

      Cyber Operational Planning Specialty Area

      Performs in-depth joint targeting and cybersecurity planning process. Gathers information and develops detailed Operational Plans and Orders supporting requirements. Conducts strategic and operational-level planning across the full range of operations for integrated information and cyberspace operations.

      Cyber Operations Specialty Area

      Performs activities to gather evidence on criminal or foreign intelligence entities to mitigate possible or real-time threats, protect against espionage or insider threats, foreign sabotage, international terrorist activities, or to support other intelligence activities.

       

      INVESTIGATE CATEGORY

      Investigates cybersecurity events or crimes related to information technology (IT) systems, networks, and digital evidence.

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      Cyber Investigation Specialty Area

      Applies tactics, techniques, and procedures for a full range of investigative tools and processes to include, but not limited to, interview and interrogation techniques, surveillance, counter surveillance, and surveillance detection, and appropriately balances the benefits of prosecution versus intelligence gathering.

      Digital Forensics Specialty Area

      Collects, processes, preserves, analyzes, and presents computer-related evidence in support of network vulnerability mitigation and/or criminal, fraud, counterintelligence, or law enforcement investigations.