NICE Framework Application Rubric

Assessing Career Pathway Understanding and Work Role Connections

Rubric Overview

This rubric assesses students’ understanding of how activity experiences connect to authentic cybersecurity careers as defined by the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity.

Use with: All three “True Teamwork” activities Point range: 3-12 points (3 criteria × 1-4 points each)

Assessment Criteria

Criterion 1: Work Role Recognition (1-4 points)

Score Descriptor Observable Behaviors
4 - Advanced Identifies multiple relevant Work Roles and distinguishes between them Names specific roles; explains how different roles contribute differently; recognizes role boundaries
3 - Proficient Identifies relevant Work Roles Can name 1-2 roles that align with activity; understands basic role functions
2 - Developing Partial role awareness Vague references to cybersecurity jobs; doesn’t use NICE terminology
1 - Emerging No role recognition Cannot connect activity to career pathways

NICE Framework Work Roles addressed in these activities (v2.0.0):

  • Defensive Cybersecurity (Protection and Defense)
  • Incident Response (Protection and Defense)
  • Vulnerability Analysis (Protection and Defense)
  • Cybersecurity Policy and Planning (Oversight and Governance)

Criterion 2: Real-World Connection (1-4 points)

Score Descriptor Observable Behaviors
4 - Advanced Makes sophisticated connections to professional practice Explains how professionals use similar skills; identifies where human-AI collaboration appears in real work
3 - Proficient Connects activity to professional work Recognizes activity mirrors real cybersecurity tasks; can give examples
2 - Developing General awareness Knows activity relates to “cybersecurity jobs” but lacks specificity
1 - Emerging No connection made Treats activity as purely academic exercise

Criterion 3: Skill Identification (1-4 points)

Score Descriptor Observable Behaviors
4 - Advanced Identifies specific skills developed and how they apply to careers Names technical and soft skills; explains transferability; recognizes human-AI collaboration as skill
3 - Proficient Identifies relevant skills Can name skills practiced; understands career relevance
2 - Developing Partial skill awareness Identifies some skills but may miss collaboration aspects
1 - Emerging No skill identification Cannot articulate what was learned

Skills demonstrated across activities:

  • Technical: Log analysis, incident response, policy development
  • Collaboration: Human-AI partnership, team coordination
  • Critical thinking: Evidence evaluation, decision-making under uncertainty
  • Communication: Stakeholder communication, documentation

Scoring Guide

Total Score Performance Level Interpretation
10-12 Exemplary Student demonstrates strong career awareness; consider mentorship or advanced opportunities
7-9 Proficient Student understands career connections; encourage continued exploration
4-6 Developing Student needs more explicit career connection instruction; provide additional resources
3 Beginning Student has not yet connected activity to careers; revisit career framing

Activity-Specific Work Roles (v2.0.0)

Security Detective Teams

  • Primary: Defensive Cybersecurity
  • Secondary: Digital Forensics

AI-Assisted Incident Response

  • Primary: Incident Response
  • Secondary: Defensive Cybersecurity, Threat Analysis

Ethics in Automated Security

  • Primary: Cybersecurity Policy and Planning
  • Secondary: Privacy Compliance, Systems Security Management

Instructor Notes

Integration strategies:

  • Reference NICE roles explicitly during activity introduction
  • Connect debrief discussions to career pathways
  • Provide NICE Framework resources for interested students

Resources for students:

Part of “True Teamwork: Building Human-AI Partnerships for Tomorrow’s Cyber Challenges” - NICE K12 2025