Critical infrastructure security curriculum modules

• Authors: Guillermo A. Francia, III
• Venue: Proceedings of the 2011 Information Security Curriculum Development Conference
• Year: 2011

Critical infrastructures have succumbed to the demands of greater connectivity. Although the scheme of connecting these critical equipment and devices to cyberspace has brought us tremendous convenience, it also enabled certain unimaginable risks and vulnerabilities. The importance of critical infrastructure (CI) protection has never been pronounced and we are in a juncture in history where CI security is paramount. Although research in this area of national need has grown steadily, pedagogical materials in this area is slow to keep up. This paper presents the development of course modules for critical infrastructure security curriculum. Although these course modules can be used to augment an existing course in CI, they can also be utilized as bases with which to build a complete CI course. Existing laboratory setups which can be used to supplement the course are also described. The course modules and the supplemental laboratories are envisioned to be great instruments for training future information security professionals. These pedagogical materials can also be used as supplements to other courses that pertain to information security, risk management, or emergency preparedness.