During my time in CYSE 425W: Cyber Strategy and Policy, I strengthened my ability to write analytically about complex cybersecurity topics through policy-based and ethics-centered research papers. These assignments challenged me to connect technical frameworks with political, social, and ethical dimensions, while also improving my academic writing and critical thinking skills.

In my paper, “Political Implications of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework,” I explored how a technical policy tool, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), has broader political significance. I examined how its voluntary nature affects debates over federal authority, information sharing, civil liberties, and federalism. This research helped me understand how cybersecurity frameworks are not just technical guides but also instruments of governance and public trust.

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My second paper, “Ethical Implications of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework,” focused on how cybersecurity policy intersects with human values such as privacy, fairness, and accountability. Through this work, I analyzed both the benefits and limitations of voluntary cybersecurity standards and reflected on the ethical responsibility professionals have to balance innovation with protection.

Together, these projects helped me grow as a writer and a cybersecurity professional. I learned how to communicate technical content in a clear, persuasive, and ethical way, an essential skill for any future role in cybersecurity consulting, education, or business development.