National K-12 Cybersecurity Education 

Implementation Plan
Introduction

The K12 Cybersecurity Education Implementation Plan’s intent is to establish a 

coordinated, coherent portfolio of National K-12 Cybersecurity Education activities so 

that efforts and assets are deployed effectively and efficiently for greatest potential 

impact. The intent is to encourage a more deliberate focus among new and existing 

efforts and create synergies among programs and agencies. This plan is created to 

implement the NICE Strategic Plan and supports the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce 

Strategy.

The implementation of the strategies and actions shared will increase the quantity, 

quality, and diversity of students pursuing cybersecurity careers by developing and 

maintaining a National K-12 Cybersecurity Education Implementation Plan that supports 

and guides the community on cybersecurity academic and career pathways through:

 rigorous academic programs, 

 learning experiences, 

 exposure to career opportunities, 

 high quality teacher professional development, and

 information regarding available internship and scholarship prospects.

ROADMAP

1. Increase Career Awareness

2. Infuse Cybersecurity Across the Education Portfolio 

3. Stimulate Innovative Educational Approaches

4. Identify Academic and Career Pathways
1.Increase Career Awareness: Increase and Sustain Youth 

and Public Engagement in Cybersecurity Activities

a. Establish a cybersecurity career awareness campaign targeting 

educators, students, parents, administrators, and counselors. 

b. Develop co-curricular experiences (e.g., competitions, camps, clubs, 

boy/girl scouts, etc.) for youth that excite them about careers in 

cybersecurity and introduce them to the corresponding academic 

pathways. 

c. Increase the appeal of the cybersecurity profession to a diverse audience.

2.Infuse Cybersecurity Across the Education Portfolio: 

Design Cybersecurity Education for the future STEM and 

Cybersecurity Workforce

a. Infuse cybersecurity concepts into classroom instruction that align to the 

NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework.

b. Develop and replicate programs that support youth obtaining knowledge, 

skills, and abilities required for success in the future STEM and 

Cybersecurity Workforce.

3.Stimulate Innovative Educational Approaches: Improve 

K-12 Cybersecurity Education Instruction

a. Increase coordination among teacher preparation, professional 

development, support, and recognition efforts within existing and proposed 

cybersecurity educator programs.

b. Stimulate innovative educational approaches to accelerate learning and 

skills development.

4.Identify Academic and Career Pathways: Increase the 

number of youth pursuing a cybersecurity or 

cybersecurity related degree, certificate or job 

a. Develop a nationally recognized cybersecurity career pathway for high 

school students that improves upon state Career Technical Education 

(CTE) and Programs of Study (POS). 

b. Develop a nationally recognized cybersecurity academic pathway for 

elementary, middle and secondary school students.
c. Increase the number of schools who are providing dual enrollment, early 

college programs, and other creative efforts that challenge students 

academically and provide opportunities to reduce the time and cost of 

obtaining a college degree.