A Technical History of the SEI

Mellon’s faculty in areas such as robotics, interdisciplinary collaboration, team development, software
architecture and product line development, service-oriented architecture, data mining, and
cybersecurity [SEI 2012].
Evolution of Instructional Delivery Based on Technology Advancements
The delivery of SEI education and training has evolved, taking advantage of advances in technology
as they occur. The SEI can now deliver training to warfighters as well as others across the
globe 24/7, and students can learn at their own pace and study at home, work, or on the road.
This evolution of training delivery methods has enabled the SEI and the government to provide
timely training at an affordable cost. The SEI video studio was used to record lectures by leaders
in the software engineering community to provide insight into important developments, resulting
in a standalone video series. The SEI has added to traditional instructor-led classroom training by
taking advantage of synchronous distance training such as broadcasting virtual “live” online training,
and, later, asynchronous web-based, self-paced e-learning. Recently, the SEI has been producing
podcasts and webinars to keep pace with the latest evolution from e-learning to m-learning—on-the-go
mobile learning.
The SEI found that its customers’ unique distance training needs required new technology for
cyber workforce development. The CERT Virtual Training Environment (VTE) was developed to
amplify the security training and best practices delivered through classroom training. Because of
its rich media instruction and hands-on training labs, VTE allowed users to access high-quality
training materials in information security, computer forensics, and incident response anywhere in
the world with only a web browser and an internet connection.
The CERT Exercise Network (XNET) solved the problem of preparing staff to train under realistic
conditions, using scenarios that can be difficult and expensive to create and administer. XNET
allowed organizations to create customized, realistic, interactive simulations on an isolated network.
Through a web-based interface, participants across multiple locations could work together
to analyze and respond to the latest threats. Instructors could easily monitor, control, and evaluate
participants’ activities to identify problem areas. XNET was used in multiple cyber defense exercises
conducted by the U.S. government.
Features of VTE and XNET are included in STEPfwd, the most recent advance in technology for
workforce development. Like its predecessor, STEPfwd is being used in military cyber defense
exercises.
References
[Ardis 2005] Ardis, Mark. “An Incomplete History of Master of Software Engineering Programs
in the United States.” Presentation at the 15th Reunion of CMU MSE Program, July 2005.
http://personal.stevens.edu/~mardis/papers/MSEHistory.pdf
[Bagert 1999] Bagert, D.; Hilburn, T.; Hislop, G.; Lutz, M.; & McCracken, M. “Guidance for the
Development of Software Engineering Education Programs.” The Journal of Systems and Software
49 (1999): 163-169.
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