Sponsoring Organizations
The National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work, is led by the University of West Florida and funded by the DoW CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office and the NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Program.
Vision and Mission
The National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work, unites the efforts of U.S. colleges and universities to prepare the next generation of cyber professionals. The program is dedicated to producing qualified professionals to bolster America’s cyber defense. Its mission is to provide professional development training and job-seeking support to transitioning military, first responders, veterans, government employees, and others pursuing the cybersecurity field. CyberSkills2Work aims to bridge the gap between cybersecurity workforce employers in critical infrastructure sectors and professionals trained in cyber defense.
Program Overview
CyberSkills2Work is a federally funded program designed to expand the nation’s cybersecurity workforce. It supports national efforts to get more individuals into cybersecurity work roles through cybersecurity workforce training programs such as Pathways to Cybersecurity Careers, the National Cybersecurity Employers Network (NCEN), which connects employers with cyber talent, partnerships with NCAE-C schools, and collaboration with private industry, national labs, state and federal government agencies, and non-profits.
Our Team
A nationwide coalition of educational institutions and partnering employers make up the CyberSkills2Work team. Scholars from colleges and universities, designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C), develop and offer the program’s training curricula. The UWF Center for Cybersecurity and AI oversees the program and coalition efforts. The institutions collaborate with 50+ organizations in the National Cybersecurity Employers Network to prepare learners for work roles in the cybersecurity field. Learners develop skills that align with and support the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework standards for work roles. Through this partnership, the team provides career development support to meet current cybersecurity workforce needs.
Our Funding
The National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work, is led by the University of West Florida and funded by the DoD CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office and the NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Program. The program was also previously funded by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). CyberSkills2Work spearheads the charge to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity workforce and cybersecurity. The program offers high-caliber skills-based training pathways and cyber career resources at no cost to accepted program participants.
Training Programs
Explore our free cybersecurity workforce training programs. Select the pathway for the work role that best matches your background, interests, and cyber aptitude, and find an institution that provides training.
Link to application: https://cyberskills2work.org/training-programs/
Educational Institutions
The nation’s top colleges and universities have joined forces as the CyberSkills2Work coalition to spawn a new generation of cybercrime fighters. Scholars of schools designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) are preparing talent for cybersecurity work. These NCAE-Cs, designated by the National Security Agency, are training bright minds to fuel the cyber workforce and safeguard virtual information. CyberSkills2Work institutions collaborate to develop training curricula centered around the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Cybersecurity Workforce Framework and the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF). They then use state-of-the-art techniques to deliver training programs that align with NICE and DoD Framework work roles for America’s workforce. After receiving training from CyberSkills2Work institutions, program graduates are highly qualified to tackle the demands of various cybersecurity jobs.
Coalition institutions include:
• Columbus State University
• Dakota State University
• Eastern New Mexico University–Ruidoso Branch Community College
• Florida International University
• Metro State University
• The University of Texas at San Antonio
• The University of Arizona
• University of South Florida
• University of West Florida
CyberSkills2Work
Leading Institution: University of West Florida
Contacts
Guy Garrett
Associate Director, Technology and Training, Center for
Cybersecurity and AI