Funded by the National Security Agency, the CyberSkills2Work Program is a national cybersecurity workforce development program that focuses on recruiting, preparing, and placing transitioning military, transitioning first responders, and veterans into cybersecurity work roles in our nation’s Critical Infrastructure Sectors, focusing on financial services, defense industrial bases, and energy sectors.
CyberSkills2Work provides flexible pathways that accommodate learners’ diverse aptitudes, education, and experience. Courses are offered by colleges and universities across the country, both in-person and online, making the program accessible and convenient for transitioning professionals. Upon successfully completing a course or program, participants are awarded certifications, digital badges, and credentials to document skills and competencies. Learners receive career development resources and are connected with job opportunities via the National Cybersecurity Employers Network. The CyberSkills2Work Program is provided at no cost to eligible participants.
Please click here to learn more about the various workforce programs and what they offer. Please complete the interest form if you are interested in learning more or participating in upcoming workforce programs.
If you are an employer interested in program graduates, please join our National Cybersecurity Employers Network. Preference is for Critical Infrastructure Sector organizations, including financial services, defense industrial bases, and energy sectors. Membership in the network doesn’t cost anything except a bit of your time and your ideas. We ask Network members to (1) tell us what skills and knowledge you’re looking for in new hires as we develop and test our program; (2) help us market the program to prospective learner, with a focus on transitioning military,first responders, and veterans; and finally (3) consider sharing your cybersecurity job vacancies and hiring some of the program’s graduates for your cybersecurity team once they’ve completed the training.
Benefits of being a National Cybersecurity Employers Network Member
Interested in joining? Please click here and complete the form.
If you are a college or university designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) that offers or is developing a cybersecurity workforce program, and you are interested in joining the CyberSkills2Work program, please complete the Interest Form. We are exploring ways to expand the program in 2022 and beyond.
If you or your organization are interested in supporting the CyberSkills2Work Program, please complete the Interest Form. We welcome individuals and organizations interested in providing support to expand the program for underrepresented and underserved populations, including transitioning military and first responders, veterans, women, and minorities. We also welcome those interested in promoting and marketing the program.
Pathways Offered: Entry-level Cybersecurity Pathway and Advanced Cybersecurity Pathway
Program Format and Duration: 100% asynchronous online, five-month program per pathway
Number of Seats: 30 per pathway
Target Audience: Transitioning military, first responders, and veterans
Target NICE Cybersecurity Work Roles: System Administrator, Systems Security Analyst, Cyber Defense Analyst, Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist, Cyber Defense Incident Responder, Vulnerability Assessment Analyst
What You Get: You can earn digital badges for courses completed and a certificate for each pathway completed. You can also earn CompTIA Security+ and CySA+ certification, Red Hat Linux Administration certification, as well as college credit for some courses.
New Cohort Application Begins: January 2022
Pathways Offered: 1 pathway towards entry-level cyber defense analyst
Program Format and Duration: 100% asynchronous online, 12 weeks long
Number of Seats: First (2021) year (20 entry-level pathway), Second (2022) year (40 entry-level)
Target Audience: Transitioning military and veterans and first responders (Especially from historically under-represented groups such as women, people of color, and people with disabilities)
Target NICE Cybersecurity Work Roles: Cyber Defense Analyst
What You Get: Participants may earn CompTIA Security+, CRISC
New Cohort Application Begins: Applications currently open for program to begin on May 10, 2021 and end August 6, 2021
Pathways Offered: Post baccalaureate certificate in Cyber Defender
Program Format and Duration: Face to face program, 1 year in length.
Number of Seats: 20 seats for entry-level
Target Audience: Transitioning military
Target NICE Cybersecurity Work Roles: Roles within the areas of Operate and Maintain, and Protect and Defend.
What You Get: Augusta University Cyber Defender Certificate, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+.
New Cohort Application Begins: Fall 2021 semester (August 2021)
Pathways Offered: Entry-level Cybersecurity Pathway and Advanced Cybersecurity Pathway
Program Format and Duration: 100% asynchronous online, 6 month program
Number of Seats: First (2022) year (20 entry-level pathway), second (2023) year (15 entry-level and 15 advanced pathway)
Target Audience: Transitioning Military and First Responders
Target NICE Cybersecurity Work Roles: Law Enforcement/Counterintelligence Forensics Analyst, Cyber Defense Forensics Analyst, Cyber Operator, Cyber Crime Investigator, Cyber Defense Analyst, and Cyber Incident Responder.
New Cohort Application Begins: August 20, 2021
Pathways Offered: Entry-level Cybersecurity Pathway
Program Format and Duration: 100% Online Program, 7 courses in two 16-week semesters Fall and Spring.
Number of Seats: 20 spots
Target Audience: Transitioning military and first responders, especially from Native American populations
Target NICE Cybersecurity Work Roles: Technical Support Specialist, Network Operations Specialist, System Administrator, Systems Security Analyst, Cyber Defense Analyst, Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist, Cyber Defense Incident Responder, Vulnerability Assessment Manager, and Cyber Operator
What You Get: CompTIA A+/PC Pro, CompTIA Network+/Network Pro, and CompTIA Security +/Security Pro certificates in addition to ENMU-Ruidoso Computer and Network Security Certificate
New Cohort Application Begins: Now through January 18, 2022
Pathways Offered: FIU offers four different pathways Cyber Threat Intelligence Fellowship Program, Cyber Threat Bootcamp, Fundamentals of Digital Forensics Bootcamp, Fundamentals of Digital Forensics Bootcamp, and Biometrics Bootcamp.
Program Format and Duration: Face-to-face and online. Our Cyber Programs have time commitments as follows: Fellowship Program (1 year), Cyber Threat Intelligence Bootcamps (1 week), Forensics Bootcamps (1 semester), and Biometrics and Forensics Bootcamps (1 week).
Number of Seats: 30 seats per pathway, except 20 seats for the Fellowship Program pathway
Target Audience: Transitioning military, veterans, and first responders
Target NICE Cybersecurity Work Roles: All Source Analyst, Cyber Defense Analyst, Cyber Defense Forensics Analyst, and Law Enforcement/Counterintelligence Forensics Analyst
What You Get: CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ for fellowship; Professional Education badges for professional education graduates.
New Cohort Application Begins: August 2021 for year-long fellowship program. Rolling applications for bootcamps.
Pathways Offered: Entry-level Cybersecurity Pathway and Advanced Cybersecurity Pathway
Program Format and Duration: Face-to-face and online; 8 month training per pathway
Number of Seats: First (2021) year (60 entry-level pathway), Second (2022) year (60 entry-level and 30 advanced pathway)
Target Audience: Veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and other underrepresented minorities
Target NICE Cybersecurity Work Roles: Cyber Defense Analyst, Cyber Defense Incident Responder, Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist, Cyber Operator, Network Operations Specialist, System Administrator, Systems Security Analysts, Technical Support Specialist, and Vulnerability Assessment Analyst
What You Get:
New Cohort Application Begins: November 15, 2021
Pathways Offered: Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Level 1 Certificate, Computer Forensics Level 1 Certificate, and Cyber First Responders Occupational Skills Award
Program Format and Duration: Face-to-face and online; Certificates are 2 semesters (total 6 months) program and the Award is 1 (3 months) semester long.
Number of Seats: 15 seats for first (2021) year, and 25 seats for second (2022) year.
Target Audience: Transitioning military, existing first responders, SAC Finance and Criminal Justice majors
Target NICE Cybersecurity Work Roles: Technical Support Specialist; Network Operations Specialist; Systems Security Analyst; Cyber Defense Incident Responder; Cyber Defense Analyst; and System Administrator
What You Get: Information Assurance and Cyber Security Level I Certificate; Computer Forensics, Level I Certificate; Cyber First Responders Occupational Skills Award; and Security+.
New Cohort Application Begins: Rolling start dates; next cohort begins March 22 and then June 7, 2021.
Pathways Offered: Entry-level Cybersecurity Pathway and Advanced Cybersecurity Pathway
Program Format and Duration: 100% asynchronous online, 80 hours of instruction.
Number of Seats: 40 seats for entry-level for first (2021) year, and 40 seats for entry-level and 40 for advanced-level second (2022) year.
Target Audience: Transitioning military, veterans, wounded warriors, and transitioning first responders
Target NICE Cybersecurity Work Roles: Roles within the areas of Operate and Maintain, and Protect and Defend.
What You Get: Certifications will be the goal for the inexperienced students as that will be a key factor in job placement. Certifications such as CompTIA Security+ will be achievable after the course sequence.
New Cohort Application Begins: March 8, 2021
Cybersecurity has become one of the fastest-growing fields and most critical career paths in an increasingly digital world; however, the existing number of cybersecurity professionals has failed to keep pace with the demand.
The CyberSkills2Work Program was created in response to this national cybersecurity workforce shortage by a coalition of 10 institutions designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) by the National Security Agency. The NCAE-C designation ensures that each institution meets rigorous standards. Led by the University of West Florida, the coalition will establish a nationally scalable and sustainable cybersecurity workforce program to rapidly expand the number of qualified cybersecurity professionals. Each institution offers free cybersecurity workforce pathways that prepare participants for specific cybersecurity work roles aligned with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. Participation in the program will prepare the learner with nationally recognized credentials and job placement assistance to get the learner quickly into the workforce.
CyberSkills2Work is an alternate pathway to a cybersecurity career. Because of the shortage of work ready applicants, the cybersecurity industry has recognized the need for a rapid-cycle training program in addition to the traditional 4-year bachelor degree route. There are both in-person and online pathway options available to learners. To recognize the contribution of our nation’s heroes we are focusing our recruitment efforts on veterans, and those in either military or first responders’ jobs who are transitioning to civilian life. Each of the 10 coalition institutions has developed training pathways in direct response to employers’ needs and works with employers to hire the pathway graduates. Employment opportunities will target nationally designated critical infrastructure sectors including finance, defense, and energy.
Our NCAE-C Coalition Team
University of West Florida (Lead Institution)
Eastern New Mexico University - Ruidoso
Florida International University
This program is funded by the National Security Agency National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Program under grant NCAE-C-003-2020.
Cyber Career Pathways Tool - This tool will help you identify, build, and navigate a potential cyber career pathway by increasing your understanding of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to begin, transition, or advance your cyber career. It is an interactive way to explore work roles within the Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework). It depicts the Cyber Workforce according to five distinct, yet complementary, skill communities. It encompasses the skills required to build, secure, operate, defend and protect technology, data, and resources; conduct related intelligence activities; enable future operations; and project power in or through cyberspace. It also highlights core attributes among each of the 52 work roles and offers actionable insights for employers, professionals, and those considering a career in Cyber.
NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework - a nationally focused and interactive framework that categorizes and describes cybersecurity work and workers regardless of location or employer. National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) provides a set of building blocks for describing the tasks, knowledge, and skills that are needed to do the cybersecurity work performed by individuals and teams. It also describes the competencies, work roles and work teams to meet industry needs. The NICE Framework is intended to be applied in the public, private, and academic sectors. The NICE Framework evolves to meet new demands and technology.
CyberSeek - to learn more about the cybersecurity workforce and current job trends visit this link. This site provides detailed, actionable data around supply and demand in the cybersecurity job market. One of the developing partners is CompTIA – a technology credentialing organization.
NCAE-C Community - provides relevant information, ideas, and events by CAE Institutions for CAE Institutions through weekly newsletters, web conferencing platforms, and by hosting the annual symposium for existing CAEs and applicants. The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program is managed by the National Cryptologic School at the National Security Agency. Federal Partners include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education (NICE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense Office of the Chief Information Officer (DoD-CIO), and US Cyber Command (CYBERCOM).
Critical Infrastructure Sectors - Provides guidance and information intended to support State, Local, and industry partners in identifying the critical infrastructure sectors and the essential workers needed to maintain the services and functions for our nation. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the nation’s risk advisor working with partners to defend against today’s threats and collaborating to build more secure and resilient infrastructures. CISA builds the national capacity to defend against cyber-attacks and works with the federal government to provide cybersecurity tools, incident response services, and assessment capabilities to safeguard the ‘.gov’ networks that support the essential operations of partner departments and agencies. There are 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof. Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21): Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience advances a national policy to strengthen and maintain secure, functioning, and resilient critical infrastructure.