Cybersecurity Science with Shawn Riley

Cybersecurity science is a critical aspect of an organization's overall security posture, encompassing a wide range of practices, theories, and methodologies aimed at protecting information and systems from cyber threats. It's a multidisciplinary field that combines elements of computer science, information technology, psychology, and risk management. Understanding cybersecurity science and its seven interrelated core themes is vital for organizations to effectively safeguard their digital assets and maintain operational integrity. What is Cybersecurity Science? Cybersecurity science goes beyond the mere implementation of technical security measures. It involves a systematic and scientific approach to identifying, understanding, and mitigating cyber risks. This field focuses on understanding the constantly evolving nature of cyber threats and developing robust strategies to counter them. It encompasses the study of threat landscapes, attacker behaviors, system vulnerabilities, ...

As a seasoned cybersecurity scientist with extensive experience across various analytical, auditing, and investigative roles, I bring a unique lens to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Version 2.0 (CSF 2.0). While the traditional application of the CSF often leans towards mapping its categories to security controls, this article intends to pivot from the usual engineering-focused interpretations. Here, we delve into the CSF 2.0 with an eye on the seven interrelated core themes of cybersecurity science:  Risk : The identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events. Attack Analysis : The study and investigation of attack methods and pathways, focusing on understanding and anticipating attacker behavior and methodologies. Measurable Security : Establishing quantifiable metrics and benchmarks to evaluate the effectiveness of security mea...