Mapping Introduction. A mapping between the 

National Security Agency (NSA) and the 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National 

Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense 

(CAE-CD) Knowledge Units (KUs) and the National 

Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) 

Workforce Framework 2.0 has been developed. 

Since each of the CAE-CD and the NICE Frameworks 

were developed for different purposes, 

cybersecurity education vs. cybersecurity 

workforce, the mapping does not result in one for 

one relationship between the two. Many parallels 

and relationships can be drawn between these two 

Frameworks and by the exploring those 

relationships, we can better understand the areas 

within the current CAE-CD KU construct on which 

to focus where opportunities for refinement or 

change may be needed. The mapping will allow 

further analysis and review needed to gain a 

greater understanding of the relationship between 

the Frameworks.

Mapping Goal. The goal of the mapping exercise 

was to examine the relationship between CAE-CD 

KUs and NICE Framework. When the NSA / DHS 

National CAE-CD Program Office began exploring 

the relationship between the KUs and the NICE 

Framework, it was decided that the most suitable 

level to explore a relationship was at the NICE 

competency level. Competencies in the NICE 

workforce framework are areas of expertise 

required for successful performance of a role or 

job function. This Competency list displays the 

types of workforce characteristics an individual 

must exhibit to successfully perform his/her 

specific role. The Framework defines competencies 

through the association of KSAs.

Mapping Process & Raw Data. To develop an 

understanding of the relationship between the two 

Frameworks, the CAE-CD Program Office created a 

spreadsheet with a preliminary mapping between 

the CAE-CD KUs and NICE competencies. Before 

these results were further promulgated, 

Government Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with 

varying expertise were enlisted to review and 

validate the mapping. Participating SMEs reviewed 

the series of worksheets consisting of proposed 

and mappings (associations) between CAE-CD KUs 

NICE competencies keeping in mind the related 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). When 

looking at the NICE competencies to determine 

their applicability to a particular KU, the underlying 

associated KSAs for each of the particular 

competencies were taken into consideration. SMEs 

were asked to validate the mapping and provide 

feedback as to whether new relationships should 

occur or whether existing relationships should be 

modified. All SME mapping reviews were compiled 

to determine a collective relationship based off of 

their feedback for each KU. Within the 

spreadsheet, there is a tab for each particular KU 

with the associated description, topics, outcomes, 

and references. The spreadsheet is organized with 

the core KUs, as listed in the CAE-CD requirements, 

and then followed alphabetically by the optional 

KUs. Below the KU information is the proposed 

related NICE competencies with the associated 

KSAs. 

Looking Ahead. This mapping demonstrates a 

relationship between the CAE-CD KUs and NICE 

Framework to allow for further exploration of the 

CAE-CD KUs content and makeup. Although the 

origin of the CAE-CD KUs and NICE Framework 

came about for different purposes and audiences, 

they are complimentary in nature. We understand 

that there will be differing opinions and 

perspectives on the relationships for any particular 

CAE-CD KU and NICE competencies. The 

relationship within the spreadsheet is not a final 

mapping but a working relationship that will evolve 

over time. The relationship will continue to 

develop as we receive input from others, in 

particular Academia. A forum has been setup in 

the CAE Community Website where the CAE-CD 

KUs and the NICE Framework relationship can be 

discussed. 

Additional Information

- CAE Community Website & Forum for 

Mapping Discussion: www.caecommunity.org 

(Forums can be found under “Discussions” on 

top right – account needed to read / respond 

in Forums)

- CAE-CD KU Information & Mapping 

spreadsheet:

www.iad.gov/NIETP//CAERequirements.cfm

- NICE Workforce Framework 2.0 Information:

http://niccs.us-cert.gov/training/tc/framework