A Framework for Mapping Organisational Workforce Knowledge Profile in Cyber Security

TL;DR

This paper introduces a framework based on CyBOK for systematically mapping and assessing the cyber security knowledge profile of an organisation's workforce, addressing a gap in standardised evaluation methods.

Contribution

It presents a novel framework leveraging CyBOK to evaluate organisational and third-party cyber security knowledge capabilities systematically.

Findings

Framework enables identification of knowledge gaps.

Case studies demonstrate practical application.

Workshops refine the profiling methodology.

Abstract

A cyber security organisation needs to ensure that its workforce possesses the necessary knowledge to fulfil its cyber security business functions. Similarly, where an organisation chooses to delegate their cyber security tasks to a third party provider, they must ensure that the chosen entity possesses robust knowledge capabilities to effectively carry out the assigned tasks. Building a comprehensive cyber security knowledge profile is a distinct challenge; the field is ever evolving with a range of professional certifications, academic qualifications and on-the-job training. So far, there has been a lack of a well-defined methodology for systematically evaluating an organisation's cyber security knowledge, specifically derived from its workforce, against a standardised reference point. Prior research on knowledge profiling across various disciplines has predominantly utilised established frameworks such as SWEBOK. However, within the domain of cyber security, the absence of a standardised reference point is notable. In this paper, we advance a framework leveraging CyBOK, to construct an organisation's knowledge profile. The framework enables a user to identify areas of coverage and where gaps may lie, so that an organisation can consider targeted recruitment or training or, where such expertise may be outsourced, drawing in knowledge capability from third parties. In the latter case, the framework can also be used as a basis for assessing the knowledge capability of such a third party. We present the knowledge profiling framework, discussing three case studies in organisational teams underpinning its initial development, followed by its refinement through workshops with cyber security practitioners.