ANSI-Accredited Standards Developers Sought to Define Standards for National Cybersecurity Program

ANSI to Host Informational Teleconference on August 19

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), cybersecurity is one of the most serious economic and national security challenges facing the nation, putting national security, public safety, and economic prosperity at risk. To address this critical issue head on, the inter-agency National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) program was established. This program is co-led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Education (DOE), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and facilitated by NIST.

Implementation of the initiative is expected to rely on a collaborative effort between federal, state and local government, industry, academia, non-government organizations and the general public. The goal of NICE is to build a cyber-savvy nation through training, awareness, educational programs, and professional development.

NICE Standards Development Initiative
As a key part of the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Training and Professional Development Standards Development Initiative, the NICE team is looking to engage American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited standards developers to define a suite of standards supporting national cybersecurity workforce training and professional development. The selected ANSI-accredited standards developers would be tasked to develop - or identify appropriate existing - American National Standards addressing thirty-one priority areas.

The NICE team anticipates selecting the ANSI-accredited standards developer(s) by early September 2011, with the goal of developing the first American National Standard(s) by September 2012. The selected organization(s) will be asked to participate in a September 20-22, 2011 workshop hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity Education—Engaging Americans in Securing Cyberspace.

Those interested in partnering in this initiative are requested to reply to psa@ansi.org by Wednesday, August 17, indicating the name(s) and title(s) and contact information of the individuals that would serve as an organization's contact(s).

Informational Teleconference
On August 19 at 10:00 a.m. eastern time, ANSI will host a teleconference with members of the NICE team to share further details about the NICE standards development initiative with interested ANSI-accredited standards developers.