The Problem - A Field Without Structure

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Cybersecurity engineering today remains fragmented, driven by tactical thinking rather than strategic and disciplined planning. Over-dependence on vendor-provided tools—often marketed as complete security solutions—creates a misleading sense of safety, yet breaches continue unabated despite rising investments.

 

Further complicating the situation, cybersecurity certifications have proliferated widely, saturating the market with superficial credentials designed for broad appeal rather than engineering depth. Once-esteemed certifications have become openly accessible without rigorous prerequisites, primarily driven by revenue rather than a commitment to maintaining professional and technical integrity. Consequently, these credentials often fail to equip cybersecurity practitioners with the necessary engineering skills to prevent breaches and manage organizational risk effectively.

 

Critically, the persistent absence of structured, rigorous, and ABET-style accredited university programs in cybersecurity engineering has created a significant gap compared to traditional disciplines, civil, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering, that rely on clearly defined methodologies, lifecycle governance, traceable requirements, and strict accountability. Cybersecurity lacks such comprehensive frameworks, leaving the industry burdened by inconsistent standards, fragmented accountability, and a workforce inadequately prepared for managing systemic, complex digital threats.

 

The cumulative impact of these issues is profound, leading organizations into a reactive cycle of immediate patches and crisis-driven responses rather than proactively engineering resilient systems. The cybersecurity industry urgently requires a fundamental shift—from fragmented, tactical responses to structured engineering practices—enabling cybersecurity professionals to systematically design, build, and maintain secure, resilient systems that protect critical digital infrastructures now and into the future.

 

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