NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY CAREER AWARENESS WEEK
RESOURCES FOR A CYBERSECURITY CAREER
Information technology (IT) is part of every aspect of modern life. Emerging technologies such as high-speed mobile networking and smart cities promise that cyberspace will continue to offer exceptional benefits to society. However, as society uses IT more there is greater potential for adversaries to create disruption and destruction through malicious cyber activities, making advances in cybersecurity imperative. NITRD works with its member agencies to coordinate cybersecurity research and development, but there is a shortage of qualified cybersecurity workers and the demand is increasing. NITRD’s member agencies are leading efforts to develop cyber expertise and build a workforce capable of facing real-world cybersecurity challenges.
Cybersecurity is one of the fasting growing careers in the U.S. Are you a student or know someone who is interested in a cybersecurity career? Confused on where to start? Wondering what are the options in cybersecurity? Take a look at some of the resources below as you explore a career in cybersecurity.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)
CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY (CISA)
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS)
This is an online resource for cybersecurity training that connects students, educators, industry, and Government employees with cybersecurity training providers. It displays information on cybersecurity degree programs, training, careers, and so much more!
This career tool and its accompanying User Guide present work roles within the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. The Training Catalog provides information on over 5,000 courses in cybersecurity.
Students, Launch Your Cybersecurity Careers
Check out this webpage to help you explore the vast options that can be found in cybersecurity jobs.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (NIST)
National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE)
NICE is led by NIST in partnership with government, academia, and the private sector to promote cybersecurity education and workforce development to increase the Nation’s skilled cybersecurity professionals. Check out the NIST NICE website that has information on some key projects funded by the NICE initiative, cybersecurity events.
The NICE Challenge immerses students in real-world cybersecurity challenges in the workforce before they are in the workforce, which will allow educators to determine students’ readiness to be in the workforce. The Nice Challenge Project is funded by NICE, NSF, and NSA.
NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework
This resource was developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish a framework describing modern taxonomy of the cybersecurity field. Check out NICCS’s explanation of NIST’s NICE Framework to explore the categories and specialty areas within the Framework.
CyberSeek is an interactive tool that provides career pathways for cybersecurity jobs along with detailed information about salaries, credentials, and skillsets associated with each role.
For example, Penetration Tester has $104K average salary and 15,386 openings; required skills are about 9% pre-college, 82% Bachelor’s level and 9% graduate level; top skills include Information Security, Linux and Python; and top certifications required are CISSP and SANS/GIAC.
Why is this important? From June 2019 through May 2020, there were 171,000 jobs for Information Security analysts, but only 125,000 people are currently employed in these positions. There are an additional 336,000 jobs that also need cybersecurity skills. CyberSeek is a tool for job seekers, students, educators, employers, and policymakers that provides information on the supply and demand in the cybersecurity market to help people enter a cybersecurity career.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly support students interested in cybersecurity through their CyberCorps® SFS program. It provides scholarships to students for full tuition up to 3 years and an annual stipend of $25K for undergraduates and $34K for graduate students. To date, the program enrolled almost 4,500 students and, after graduation, the scholarship recipients work for the Federal Government in a position related to cybersecurity for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.
In addition, 2018 National Defense Authorization Act authorized a CyberCorps® pilot program for people who are no longer in school that provides scholarships for bachelor’s degree recipients and veterans of the Armed Forces to pursue cybersecurity training at community colleges.
GenCyber – Inspiring the Next Generation of Cyber Stars
The National Science Foundation and the National Security Agency are addressing the Nation’s shortfall of skilled cybersecurity professionals with their joint interagency GenCyber program to inspire K-12 students to be in cyber. This program provides summer cybersecurity camp experiences in 150 camps for more than 4,000 K-12 students and more than 1,000 teachers. The goals of the program are to:
- Increase interest in cybersecurity careers and diversity in the cybersecurity workforce of the nation
- Help all students understand correct and safe on-line behavior and how they can be good digital citizens
- Improve teaching methods for delivery of cybersecurity content in K-12 curricula.
To ensure a level playing field, GenCyber camps are open to all students and teacher participants at no cost. Funding is provided jointly by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation.
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cybersecurity
Curious about cybersecurity education programs? You will find information about NSA’s CAE designated academic institutions that are developing a qualified cybersecurity workforce.
Interested in working with NSA? Take a look at this resource for more information on intelligence careers with NSA!
Curious about terminology in the cybersecurity field. Check out NICCS’s glossary to help understand cybersecurity terms. Very helpful for school or that new job in your cybersecurity career!
Page updated: November 10, 2020