NIST Cybersecurity Professional®
NCSP® 800-181 Awareness Certificate
 
Build Awareness of the NIST NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework

NIST Cybersecurity Professional®

NCSP® 800-181 Awareness Certificate

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Course Description

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NIST Special Publication 800‑181, NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework, provides a common taxonomy and lexicon for describing cybersecurity work, roles, tasks, and knowledge/skill/ability (KSA) requirements across the public and private sectors. It enables organisations to build consistent workforce programmes, improve hiring and training, and align cybersecurity capabilities with mission and business needs.

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The NCSP® 800‑181 Awareness Certificate is a half‑day, instructor‑led course offering a concise introduction to the purpose, structure, and strategic value of the NICE Workforce Framework. Designed for executives, managers, HR teams, educators, and cybersecurity leaders, this course explains how 800‑181 supports workforce planning, capability development, career pathways, and organisational readiness, without requiring HR or technical expertise.

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Participants gain a high‑level understanding of the NICE categories, work roles, tasks, KSAs, and how the Framework integrates with CSF 2.0, RMF (800‑37), and broader cybersecurity governance.

 

What You Will Learn

 

Participants gain essential awareness‑level knowledge of NIST SP 800‑181. You will learn:

• The purpose, scope, and evolution of the NICE Workforce Framework.

• The seven NICE categories and their associated specialty areas.

• How NICE work roles, tasks, and KSAs define cybersecurity capability.

• How organisations use 800‑181 for hiring, training, and workforce development.

• The relationship between NICE roles and cybersecurity governance frameworks.

• How 800‑181 supports workforce planning, career pathways, and skills alignment.

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Course Agenda

 

Module 1: Introduction to NIST SP 800‑181 & the NICE Workforce Framework

• A high‑level overview of NIST SP 800‑181, its purpose, and its role in defining cybersecurity work. Introduces the NICE taxonomy, terminology, and the importance of a standardised workforce framework.

Module 2: NICE Categories, Specialty Areas & Work Roles

• An awareness‑level introduction to the structure of the NICE Framework, including:

  • NICE categories

  • Specialty areas within each category

  • Work roles and their associated tasks

• Explains how these elements define cybersecurity functions across organisations.

Module 3: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs) and Workforce Governance

• A concise overview of NICE KSAs and how they support competency‑based workforce development. Covers organisational responsibilities across HR, cybersecurity leadership, training teams, and governance bodies.

Module 4: Applying NIST 800‑181 in Practice - Workforce Planning, Alignment & Use Cases

• An introduction to how organisations apply 800‑181 in real‑world environments. Covers alignment with CSF 2.0, RMF (800‑37), 800‑53 controls, and talent development programmes.

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Learning Outcomes

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Participants will be able to:

• Describe the purpose and structure of NIST SP 800‑181.

• Explain the NICE categories, specialty areas, and work roles at an awareness level.

• Understand the role of KSAs in workforce development and capability building.

• Recognise key organisational responsibilities in cybersecurity workforce planning.

• Identify how 800‑181 aligns with CSF 2.0, RMF, and other NIST frameworks.

• Communicate the strategic value of the NICE Framework to stakeholders and teams.

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Who Should Attend?

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This course is designed for professionals who need a foundational understanding of cybersecurity workforce development, including:

• Executives & Senior Leaders

• HR & Talent Management Teams

• Cybersecurity Managers & Team Leads

• Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Stakeholders

• Educators & Training Providers

• Programme & Project Managers

• Anyone seeking an introduction to the NICE Workforce Framework

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Prerequisites

 

There are no prerequisites for this Awareness‑level course. No HR or technical background is required.

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Participants are provided with:

• NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800-181 Awareness Certificate courseware including links to further reading and resources.

• NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800-181 Awareness Certificate, Certificate of Completion.

• NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800-181 Awareness Certificate digital badge.

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