ECAF: Educational Cybersecurity Assessment Framework for Small Businesses

ECAF: Educational Cybersecurity Assessment Framework for Small Businesses

연구 분야: Infrastructure

학회: World Congress in Computer Science, Computer Engineering & Applied Computing

With a significant number of cybersecurity job openings [13] remaining unfilled in the U.S., we are grappling with a critical shortage of cybersecurity experts who are essential for safeguarding businesses, national infrastructure, and networks against cyber threats. This shortage becomes particularly acute among local small business owners who form a vital part of the community. Many of these entrepreneurs lack technical expertise and operate on tight budgets, making their websites susceptible to cyber attacks. Simultaneously, many young individuals are eager to enter the field of cybersecurity but find a disconnect between their educational experiences and practical applications. This paper presents ECAF (Educational Cybersecurity Assessment Framework) for Small Businesses, a framework to bridge this gap and equip young learners with the necessary support to perform security checks to assist local small business owners in bolstering the security of their websites. We also describe a capstone project that showcases the effectiveness of the framework. The goal of this work is two-fold: firstly, to empower young people with the necessary cybersecurity literacy, skills, and experience, and secondly, to assist local small business owners who compose the essential fabric of the community. This dual approach not only mitigates potential financial risks for business owners but also fosters a generation of skilled cybersecurity practitioners who can contribute meaningfully to their communities.