Week 1 – Journal Entry | CYBERSECURITY & SOCIAL SCIENCE

The NICE Workforce Framework is a framework that is developed by the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and is used to define cybersecurity roles and responsibilities. The most interesting category to me is the Investigate category. The least interesting to me would be the Operate and Maintain component as it involves a day to day low-level work.

The Investigate section is defined by examining cybersecurity events, digital evidence, and instances of cybercrime. This is a role that involves interesting aspects of the criminal underworld and provides a deeper look into that world. As it is so shrouded in mystery, the cybercriminal world has an allure to it. Catching and holding criminals responsible is also a great moral motivator.

The role of Operating and Maintaining security frameworks is one that involves low-level “on-the-ground” work which can involve menial tasks. It is much more entertaining and fulfilling to lead and oversee an investigation into a criminal world.

Week 2 – Journal Entry | CYBERSECURITY & SOCIAL SCIENCE

Science has a strong relation to cybersecurity and the approach of analysis, and identification of threats.

Using empirical data is a cornerstone of proper cybersecurity operations as it allows the accurate identification and assessment of risk as well as developing the solutions needed to handle the threats.

The interdisciplinary nature of cybersecurity is one that closely relates to science as it integrates computer science and engineering to address technical and human threats.

A core component of a sound cybersecurity framework is the continuous adaptation and testing of protocols. Iteration and testing is a classical scientific practice and it is thoroughly used in cybersecurity.