Background

All aspects of our lives and all aspects of our social, economic and political systems are becoming increasingly dependent on our information and communications infrastructure. The security and assurance of our information and communications infrastructure is therefore a national priority. To address this, our Nation needs an information-literate work force that is aware of its vulnerability, as well as a cadre of information professionals that are knowledgeable of the recognized "best practices" available in information security and information assurance, as called for in Presidential Decision Directive 63, May 22, 1998. It is the task of American higher education to provide that information literate work force and to prepare information professionals. To meet this priority, higher education must be informed of the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be taught in the general curricula and in the information curricula of its colleges and universities. Industry and government must understand their role in supporting higher education, not simply expecting higher education to be responsive and informed about information security and assurance. The National Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education (the Colloquium) is established to serve as a living body to bring government, industry, and academia together to meet those challenges.

Mission Statement

Recognizing that the protection of information and infrastructures that are used to create, store, process and communicate information is vital to the productivity and security of our nation, and to assure the continuity and growth of our infrastructure-based society, the Colloquium provides a forum for dialog among leading figures in government, industry and academia to work in partnership to define current and emerging requirements for information security education, and to influence and encourage the development and expansion of information security curricula especially at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Goals

The Colloquium will create an environment for exchange and dialog among leaders in government, industry and academia concerning the need for and utility of information security and information assurance education. Given the scope and fluid state of knowledge of information security, the Colloquium will strive to foster the development of academic curricula which recognizes the need expressed by government and industry, and is based on the recognized "best practices" available in the field. The Colloquium will assist educational institutions by fostering the continued development and sharing of information security education resources. The Colloquium will also encourage educational institutions to teach appropriate information systems security courses in various curricula to meet the needs of 21st Century consumers and to offer courses to meet the growing demand for information system security professionals.

Organization

The Colloquium is open to all desiring to advance the state of information security and information assurance education. An Executive Committee will govern the Colloquium. The Colloquium sponsors an annual conference. The operations of the Colloquium will be governed by a separate set of by-laws.

Adopted June 17, 1998

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Updated: 05/12/2003