NIST also called for elementary and high schools to improve math and science education and to increase the number and quality of computer science courses. New incentives are needed to support graduate-level cybersecurity research, the agency said.

NIST asked for public comments on the draft plan, with responses due by Sept. 12. Comments should be entered into the Comment-Template_Draft-NICE.xls, available at , and e-mailed to nicestratplan@nist.gov.

The second annual NICE workshop, "Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity Education -- Engaging Americans in Securing Cyberspace," will be Sept. 20 to 22 at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The workshop will include discussion of the strategic plan. Representatives of the U.S. government, academia and business are expected to attend.

The IDG News Service