The Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Security Training Scholarship made possible by Google, Bloomberg and Meta is open for applications, entering its’ third year of growing the cyber workforce.
The scholarship, created in partnership with Google and the SANS Institute, successfully enables women to advance within cybersecurity and increases diversity in the field. This is a multi-staged scholarship opportunity for WiCyS members who will have the chance to launch and advance their cyber careers through skills development. It’s designed for aspiring professionals looking for cybersecurity employment in less than a year and a half.
All eligible applicants will progress through different stages of the scholarship for up to nine months and join a community with mentors and peers. Eventually, the group will be narrowed down to a cohort of 40+ members pursuing advanced SANS training and GIAC Certifications.
“Solving the cybersecurity challenges of today and tomorrow depends on building a skilled and diverse workforce; one that can collaborate to solve complex problems, build partnerships across the industry, and is committed to continuous learning. The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship program provides participants with the opportunity, knowledge, and professional network to prepare them to enter the cybersecurity workforce and tackle these challenges. Google is a proud founding supporter for this critical program that’s directly addressing the cybersecurity workforce talent shortage today and developing future leaders,” said Juan Quinones, Program Manager, Google Security Engineering.
The program starts Aug. 25 with a SANS Beginner Capture-the-Flag then advances to CyberStart Game, as hundreds of participants build foundational skills in security and apply them through gamified platforms. Top performers with demonstrable cyber aptitude will enter a cohort taking three SANS training courses and the associated GIAC Certifications to validate technical, hands-on skills to employers as they launch new careers.
Last year, 100% of students in the cohort achieved GIAC Certification, while all program graduates were employed within six months of completion. Some of the places they work include Southwest Airlines as an associate technology analyst; Slipstream Cybersecurity as a cyber analyst; Microsoft as a cloud solution architect; Assurance Lab as a consultant; along with Apple, Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, and Ernst & Young.
“The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship (sponsored by SANS, Google, Bloomberg and Meta) has provided me with resources and support to gain the skills needed in order to change careers into cybersecurity (complemented by a heaping side of hard work and dedicated drive). Most importantly, I’m thankful to be a part of a cohort of inspiring women (from across the globe) within the program, as we continue to learn and celebrate our successes together,” said Lori Murphy, S-RM US Cyber Advisory Analyst.
WiCyS has worked tirelessly to advance women in this demanding field. Its recent conference keynote, Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, even emphasized the need to get 50 percent of women in cybersecurity by 2030. This work also falls in line with the goals of the White House’s National Cyber Workforce and Education Summit that addressed a workforce shortage and brainstormed educational initiatives to fill the gaps.
“What’s so unique about this program is the great time and attention committed by employer partners Google, Bloomberg and Meta in finding hidden talent,” said Lynn Dohm, WiCyS executive director. “It’s focused on making cybersecurity careers accessible to the WiCyS members based on determination, grit, and tapping into the strengths of the community. It truly is making a difference in the cybersecurity workforce, having influenced thousands of WiCyS members and helping them on their cybersecurity journey. And now having interest from other potential employer partners to add to the successful mix.”
The deadline to apply is Aug. 21 For more information, visit https://www.wicys.org/benefits/security-training-scholarship/.
If interested in joining forces with Google, Bloomberg and Meta by becoming an employer partner, contact WiCyS executive director, Lynn Dohm, at [email protected].
About WiCyS:
Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) is a nonprofit organization with international reach dedicated to the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in cybersecurity. WiCyS was founded by Dr. Ambareen Siraj in 2013 through a National Science Foundation grant awarded to Tennessee Tech University. In less than 10 years, it has grown into an organization (est. in 2017) representing a leading alliance between trailblazers from academia, government, and industry. WiCyS offers opportunities, trainings, events, and resources for its members. Strategic partners include Tier 1: Amazon Web Services, Bloomberg, Carnegie Mellon University – Software Engineering Institute, Cisco, Fortinet, Google, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Meta, Microsoft, Optum, Sandia National Laboratories, SentinelOne. Tier 2: AbbVie, Aristocrat, JPMorgan Chase & Co., LinkedIn, McKesson, Navy Federal Credit Union, Nike, Wayfair, Workday. To partner, visit http://www.wicys.org/support/strategic-partnerships/.
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Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS). (2022, August 18). WiCyS 3rd Annual Security Training Scholarship open for applications. CISION PRWeb