The IT 7993-IT Capstone K-12 curriculum development project goal is to provide a comprehensive guide for educators. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the basic concepts and terminology of cybersecurity and prepare students for their future roles in cybersecurity.  The curriculum is designed to be flexible and adaptable, to accommodate the diverse needs and learning styles of all students. 

Cybersecurity is an increasingly in-demand field of Computer Science.  This curriculum will look at the major ideas in the field of cybersecurity. The cybersecurity curriculum includes core subjects such as fundamentals of security, hardware/software concepts, networking concepts, network security, system security and information security.  The curriculum also emphasizes developing technical knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills essential for success in protecting and defending computer systems and networks. 

The curriculum is aligned with the Information Technology Career Cluster standards which primarily focuses on the National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework category Protect and Defend and the Computer Network Defense work roles.  To ensure successful implementation, the project includes resources to ensure that teachers have the tools needed to deliver high-quality instruction.  

To ensure the successful implementation of the curriculum, the project includes professional development for teachers, as well as ongoing support and resources to ensure that teachers have the tools and resources, they need to deliver high-quality instruction. 

Overall, the K-12 curriculum development project is to provide a foundation for K-12 students to gain an overall understanding of cybersecurity and prepare students for a career in cybersecurity or a related field while also ensuring they have the knowledge and skills necessary to protect themselves and others online