Cyber Ready Professional upcoming events

Call for Mentors (January 01, 2026)

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

CyberWatch Cyber Ready Professionals Call for Mentors!

Cyber Ready Mentors provide guidance to developing professionals in one or more phases of the Cyber Ready Professionals program. You can choose to become a reviewer in the coaching phase, a mentor in the credentialing phase, and/or a preceptor in the clinical phase.

The Cybersecurity Skills Journal (CSJ) and the associated Cybersecurity Capabilities and Careers Symposia (3CS) are seeking members of the broader cybersecurity stakeholder community--including graduate students, educators, researchers, tech innovators, and practitioners from government and industry--to join our growing community of mentors for proposers of conference sessions and journal manuscripts. Cyber Ready Mentors are essential to publishing research that integrates and expands the methods, processes, and evidence of effective practices for skillful performance of cybersecurity job functions and roles.

For the 2025-26 academic year, after completing at least three reviews, Mentors are eligible to apply for a travel stipend up to $650 to attend regional 3CS events and up to $2,100 to attend the National 3CS based on distance from the workshop venue. All mentors who complete at least two reviews are recognized as a Fellow of the Cyber Ready G-Force -- the generating force raising cybersecurity capabilities and career readiness. Cyber Ready G-Force Fellows are eligible for free registration to the 3CS events for which they reviewed submissions.

The CSJ Overview Briefing describes the types of manuscripts published in the Cybersecurity Skills Journal and our iterative manuscript development process. The 3CS Overview is especially valuable for students, faculty, or professionals who do have substantial experience presenting at conferences or publishing articles.

We periodically conduct a one-hour workshop to help prospective mentors understand our mission and the details of the iterative review and mentoring process before making a commitment to become a mentor. If you are interested in learning more or becoming a mentor, please click the Register button. Your confirmation email will provide a link to a page where you can select the date to attend a Mentor Workshop.

Cybersecurity Skills Journal (CSJ): Developing Dialogues for the NICE Special Issue (January 13, 2026)

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Cybersecurity Skills Journal (CSJ):
Developing Dialogues for the NICE Special Issue

CSJ and the NICE Framework Special Issue Series

Studies that examine the usefulness, benefits, and challenges associated with the adoption, adaptation, or extension of the NICE Framework to improve learning and advance the state of cybersecurity capability maturity:

Call for Proposals – Special Issue: NICE Framework, vol. 2
Special Issue: NICE Framework, vol. 1 published in 2020
Digital release of NICE Special Issue vol. 2 planned for September 2023

Publisher: National CyberWatch Center
Date Published: June 6, 2023
Classification: Analyze, Investigate, Operate and Maintain, Oversight and Development, Protect and Defend, Securely Provision
Education Level: Higher Education, Informal Education, Vocational/Professional Development Education
Type: Cybersecurity Skills Journal
Language: English

If you have questions or comments on this resource, Contact Us with your feedback.

Raising the BAR of Cybersecurity Capability Maturity: Five Years of Competency-based Instructional Design at the Community College Cyber Summit (February 04, 2026)

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Raising the BAR of Cybersecurity Capability Maturity: Five Years of Competency-based Instructional Design at the Community College Cyber Summit

If you have questions or comments on this resource, Contact Us with your feedback.

Cybersecurity Foundations Series: A Formative Competency- and Performance-Based Curriculum Program for Cybersecurity Education (February 04, 2026)

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Cybersecurity Foundations Series: A Formative Competency- and Performance-Based Curriculum Program for Cybersecurity Education

If you have questions or comments on this resource, Contact Us with your feedback.

3CS Virtual (3CSv) Conference Series Session Interest Form (February 10, 2026)

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

3CSv Conference Series
Session Interest Form

The 3CS Virtual (3CSv) Conference Series Session Interest Form is designed to gather participant input on the conference sessions that you are most interested in attending. Your responses will help us tailor session scheduling, allocate appropriate space and resources, and ensure the program reflects the needs and priorities of our attendees. Please review the session options carefully and indicate the topics that best align with your interests and goals. Your feedback is an essential part of creating a valuable and engaging conference experience.

Workshop Dates: 1:00pm- 6:00pm Eastern Time

February 20, 2026
April 17, 2026
June 19, 2026
August 21, 2026

Register for the 3CS Virtual (3CSv) Conference Series

Register Here

Conference Series Sessions

Why Cybersecurity Talent Struggles to Land Entry-Level Roles?

This session explores the real-world barriers that prevent qualified entry-level cybersecurity professionals from being hired — despite certifications, degrees, or hands-on lab experience.

Post-Quantum Crypto-Agility: A strategic roadmap to secure your business today

This session introduces a practical solution: the Crypto-Agility Maturity Model. This model provides a structured, phased roadmap for organizations to transition from vulnerable cryptographic systems to quantum-safe alternatives

CMMC: Where To Begin?

A clear, easy-to-understand approach to support comprehension and application for small businesses in the Defense Industrial Base.

An Open Dialogue on AI and Consumer-Based IoT

Facilitation of an open discussion/dialogue on AI (AGI/ANI/ASI) and it's potential impact, positively &/or negatively, upon consumer-based IoT systems and devices.

Prompted to Attack: Inside the Hacker’s AI Playbook

Explore how attackers use generative AI, we use for defense, for phishing, prompt injection, and more. Step into the adversary’s mindset to expose risks and strengthen defenses through this dialogue session.

Building Experience Through Scenario Based Hands On Cyber Security

Shift from slides/lectures/publisher point-click to scenario based open learning through applied tools and techniques

LaTeX Essentials: Enhance Your Writing and Publishing Skills

LaTeX Essentials is a workshop designed to introduce participants to the essential skills needed for creating professional academic documents using LaTeX. In this hands-on session, attendees will learn how to set up basic LaTeX doc.

Open-Source SOC System Showcase

Demonstrate the capabilities of open-source SOC tools using a virtual environment. Content will include Wazuh SIEM, TheHive Case Management & Incident Response, and VirusTotal.

Using Cyber Competitions to Bridge the Gap from Curriculum to Careers

Share best practices for educators to utilize cyber competitions with their students to build technical skills and demonstrate job-readiness to employers.

Internship Recruitment - Project Manager or Program Ambassador (February 13, 2026)

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

We are seeking motivated and responsible students to apply for a remote internship opportunities as an assistant project manager or a Cyber Ready Professionals Ambassador. This position offers hands-on experience working collaboratively with a dynamic team while contributing to real-world projects and growth of the Cyber Ready Professional community. Interns will assist with organizing tasks, tracking project progress, and communicating with local and state leaders, cybersecurity practitioners, and your peers. This role is ideal for students who are detail-oriented, proactive, highly engaged, and interested in developing leadership and organizational skills in a professional environment. The pay rate for this position is $18.00 per hour.

This is a fully remote position with a maximum commitment up to of 20 hours per week, providing flexibility to balance academic responsibilities. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and a United States citizen. Also, you must be a current student in an enrolled academic institution. The internship term will run through May 31, 2026. We encourage students who are eager to gain practical experience and grow professionally to apply.

3CS Virtual Conference Series (May 15, 2026)

Fri, 15 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Next event coming up soon!

Each 3CSv workshop is an engaging dialogue among the session attendees on topics that are new or controversial--providing a more interactive, virtual forum - different from most virtual conferences where presenters simply talk at the participants.

Act Fast! Get the remaining events of 2026
at a 33% Discount!

Further discounts for Premium Members!
Not a Premium Member? Consider joining today by clicking here.

Three Workshop Dates Left in the Series
(1:00pm- 6:00pm Eastern Time)

May 15, 2026
July 17, 2026
September 18, 2026

Example Sessions at the May 15th Workshop

Great discussions for both students and professionals!

Are You Ready to Become a Thought Leader? Submit your 3CSv Session Ideas!

Students, faculty, and professionals can showcase their talents and expertise by proposing, developing, and leading sessions, created with the support of our mentoring teams, at our 3CS session proposal development workshops. Leading a discussion is a great way to collect the wisdom of crowds to build expertise in your domain.

CLICK HERE to submit a session topic

Workshop Format:

Facilitated Online Focus Group
Focus group sessions examine issues involving multiple stakeholder groups who are debating the goals, success factors (objectives), and effective practices for successful mitigation or resolution of challenges, opportunities, or dilemmas facing the cybersecurity community.

The session will be recorded. An edited transcript may be prepared for publication in a Special Issue of the Cybersecurity Skills Journal. Session participants may elect to have their comments excluded from the transcript during registration.

Download the 2CDC Flyer (May 20, 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Download the 2CDC Flyer

Cyber Ready Professionals Program Application (June 30, 2026)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Get a Personal Coach
Get the Professional Skills you Need to Succeed
Get Scholarships for Certificate Program and Exam Fees.
Get the Experience you need to become a Certified Professional
Get Clients to start your Certified Cybersecurity Preparer (CCP) Practice

The National CyberWatch Center, Accenture, ISACA, and Microsoft have partnered to bring you the Cyber Ready Professionals Program. Apply here and schedule your information session to learn about the program benefits, and the progressive training and coaching process to jumpstart your cybersecurity career.

To attend a Cyber Ready Professionals information session, click HERE.

YOU MUST REGISTER WITH A *.EDU EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE ELIGIBLE.

Sign up for FREE NCSA Participant membership HERE

Call for Session Ideas: Cybersecurity Capabilities and Careers Summit (3CS) (June 30, 2026)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Call For Session Ideas

Cybersecurity Capabilities and Careers Symposia (3CS) sessions explore or document innovative ideas, evidence-based practices, and demonstration of techniques and technologies for raising the capability maturity of the cybersecurity workforce. Proposers of sessions for 3CS are encouraged to submit a brief statement describing their session idea. Student proposals are warmly welcomed!

When you register, you will be asked to select a date to attend a Proposal Development Workshop. During this workshop and the following panel review and mentoring program, you will receive guidance and assistance in developing your proposal for the conference to meet the requirements for leading your session at an upcoming 3CS event.

There are three types of 3CS Sessions. When registering your idea, please indicate which type of session you have in mind, though the session type may change when you meet with your proposal development mentoring team.

Dialogue sessions: A dialogue session is an exchange of ideas between experts and stakeholders, facilitated by the session moderator, highlighting different points of view, experiences, and expertise on a problem or area related to cybersecurity practices, including designing, developing, evaluating, learning, teaching, or performing cybersecurity roles and functions. Dialogue proposals should specify a problem limiting the development of cybersecurity capability maturity that is not well understood or addressed. The proposal should also include 3-5 thought-provoking, open-ended questions that will gather insights and experiences from session attendees about the factors that are the likely and substantive causes of this problem as well as potential interventions that can impact the influence of causal factors to bring about a desired change in the problem. The goal of a Dialogue is to discover common themes and ideas for a future systematic study.
Evidence-Based Practice Sessions: Methods or interventions that data shows to be effective or ineffective in achieving a specific outcome. Proposals should specify how the method or intervention has impacted individual competence development or organizational effectiveness, preferably referencing the population studied and the correlation or effect size of the intervention factors on the level or degree of a desirable outcome or outcomes. Methods or interventions can be protocols or procedures for professional practice or curriculum or instructional designs for use by educators or trainers.
Demonstrations: Technical demonstrations that showcase the capabilities and features of the technology or technique for raising cybersecurity capability maturity, preferably including a hands-on experience for the audience. Breakouts based on the proposed session type

Student Association - Share Your Academic Work & Research Through Our Network (July 07, 2026)

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Share Your Academic Work & Research Through Our Network

Are you a student or faculty member who would like FREE marketing and branding? Look no further! Share you academic work with us through our rapidly growing worldwide audience. We can promote it via emails, our website, and/or social media platforms.! Make a name for yourself and stand out from the crowd today! If you have any further questions, please email info@cyberstudents.org.

CyberWatch Cyber Ready Mentor Workshops (2026 Academic Year) (July 31, 2026)

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Cyber Ready Mentor Workshop

Held Weekly (select your preferred dates)

As a Cyber Ready Mentor, you will be contributing to generating the future workforce of the nation's cybersecurity capabilities to improve the readiness of cyber professionals to meet the growing and diversifying threats. Accordingly, those who conduct at least two reviews become CyberWatch G-Force Fellows who are eligible to receive travel stipends to attend all 3CS conferences leading up to and including the National 3CS.

Mentors for CyberWatch work collaboratively panels assigned to a conference session or manuscript proposal. The panel includes up to 10 mentors, representing different stakeholder communities and areas of expertise, that evaluate a proposal with the objective of improving it to meet the requirements for leading a 3CS session or publishing a CSJ article. Thus, panel members provide collegial and constructive feedback as the author(s) iteratively develops a structured abstract and then the completed session proposal or draft manuscript.

This one-hour workshop will help prospective mentors understand our mission and the details of the iterative mentoring process before making a commitment to become CyberWatch G-Force Fellow.

If you are interested in learning more or becoming a mentor, please sign up for a Cyber Ready Mentor Workshop using the Register button to the left or clicking below.

You will receive an email listing the date and time that you requested. A reminder email with the calendar invite will be sent at the beginning of the week in which your selected workshop will be conducted.

Download the National Cybersecurity Student Association Chapter Recruitment Sign-up Form (September 01, 2026)

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Download the National Cybersecurity Student Association Chapter Recruitment Sign-up Form

Download the National Cybersecurity Student Association Memberships & Chapters Information (January 21, 2027)

Thu, 21 Jan 2027 05:00:00 GMT

Download the National Cybersecurity Student Association Memberships & Chapters Information

SP26: Student Chapter Semester Updates (August 01, 2027)

Sun, 01 Aug 2027 04:00:00 GMT

The purpose of this form is to provide a student chapter semester update for the National Cybersecurity Student Association. If you have any questions, contact Gus Hinojosa Jr. at ghinojosa@nationalcyberwatch.org.

NCSA: Call for Webcast Presenters (September 01, 2027)

Wed, 01 Sep 2027 04:00:00 GMT

The National Cybersecurity Student Association is inviting presentation proposals for their monthly webcast series. Whether you are a student, faculty member, or professional, we encourage you to submit a proposal related to career development or cybersecurity topics. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@cyberstudents.org.

Up to a 1-hr presentation.
Must submit your presentation proposal to be approved.
Presentation must be cybersecurity or career building related.

Download the 2021 Innovations in Cybersecurity Education Publication (September 30, 2030)

Mon, 30 Sep 2030 04:00:00 GMT

The National CyberWatch Innovations in Cybersecurity Education program was launched in the winter of 2016, as part of National CyberWatch’s Awards & Recognition program.

About the 2021 Innovations in Cybersecurity Education Publication

With the forced transition to online learning across the education spectrum as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to focus on the following theme for this year’s program:

How can we best contribute to the needs and transformations that might occur for remote/online instruction in the post-COVID-19 world?

Given the narrow focus of this year’s theme, we are treating this year’s publication as a Special Issue, which combines the top two submissions (as ranked by a panel of judges) with the results of our National Cybersecurity Student Association COVID-19 Perceptions Survey. This year was like no other; so is this year’s Innovations program.

Download the CSJ NICE Framework Special Issue: Investigating Framework Adoption, Adaptation, or Extension, download (December 31, 2030)

Tue, 31 Dec 2030 05:00:00 GMT

The Cybersecurity Skills Journal: Practice and Research - NICE Framework Special Issue: Investigating Framework Adoption, Adaptation, or Extension - examines the usefulness, benefits, and challenges associated with the adoption, adaptation, or extension of the NICE Framework in cybersecurity practice, to improve learning, and advance the state of cybersecurity capability maturity.

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE LETTER

PRACTICE PERSPECTIVES

The CYBER security - Competency Health and Maturity Progression

RESEARCH PERSPECTIVES

Exploring Non-Technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

Exploring Cognitive Processes to Develop Cybersecurity Defender Proficiency

TEACHING PERSPECTIVES

Wireless Security: Examining the next NICE Framework Iteration

RESEARCH NOTE

Cybersecurity Intelligence: A Novel Information Security Threat Mitigation

TEACHING NOTE

Does Cybersecurity Education Focus on the Right Things?

Click "Register" to request a free copy of the NICE Special Issue. Upon completion of the registration form a download link will be sent to your registered email address.

Download the CSJ Community College Cyber Summit (3CS) Anniversary Special Issue: Five Years of Raising the Capability Maturity Bar (December 31, 2030)

Tue, 31 Dec 2030 05:00:00 GMT

The launch of the first issue, Cybersecurity Skills Journal: Practice and Research - 3CS Anniversary Special Issue - Five Years of Raising the Capability Maturity Bar - coincides with the 5th Annual Community College Cyber Summit (3CS). Besides some path-breaking articles from our Innovations in Cybersecurity Education award-winners, most of the special issue is dedicated to listings of the capability-enhancing presentations that have occurred over the past five years at the 3CS.

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE LETTER

RESEARCH PERSPECTIVES

Raising the BAR of Cybersecurity Capability Maturity

PRACTICE PERSPECTIVES

Meeting Industry Needs for Secure Software Development

Have My Smart Lightbulbs Been Weaponized?

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES

Competency is Not a Three Letter Word

3CS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY RESOURCE GUIDE Pathway Section: Fundamentals

Pathway Section: Specialty Areas

RESOURCE GUIDE PRESENTER INDEX

Click "Register" to request a free copy of the 3CS Anniversary Special Issue. Upon completion of the registration form a download link will be sent to your registered email address.

Download the 2022 Innovations in Cybersecurity Education Publication (September 28, 2032)

Tue, 28 Sep 2032 04:00:00 GMT

The National CyberWatch Innovations in Cybersecurity Education program was launched in the winter of 2016, as part of National CyberWatch’s Awards & Recognition program.

One of the major strengths of the National CyberWatch Center is its ability to aggregate and disseminate the capacity and creative experimentation found within our academic and workforce communities.

The 2022 Innovations in Cybersecurity Education program (now in its 6th year), was built on the premise that our members are some of the best cybersecurity educational innovators, and that through our Center, they can share their innovations, accelerate their adoption, and receive proper recognition for their work. This publication is an example of this capacity and creativity in action.

All National CyberWatch Center members received the online nomination form via various e-Blasts, the monthly e-Newsletter (NCC Communicator), social media campaigns, and dissemination/outreach via various partners. The deadline for submissions was May 10, 2022. Shortly after, a panel of cybersecurity educators and past Innovations winners reviewed the submissions and selected those for recognition in this publication.

Download the April 2023 Cybersecurity Skills Journal (CSJ) Diversifying the Cybersecurity Workforce Special Issue (May 24, 2033)

Tue, 24 May 2033 04:00:00 GMT

Cybersecurity Skills Journal: Practice & Research

Diversifying the Cybersecurity Workforce Special Issue

This special issue, published in April 2023, includes a collection of dialogues, which capture a discussion among stakeholders about dilemmas or previously insurmountable challenges related to diversifying the cybersecurity workforce, cybersecurity skill assessment, development, recruitment, or evaluation.

CSJ Dialogues may be edited recordings of a focus group session, interviews with subject matter experts, or conversations between practitioners, scholars, or educators exploring the goals, success factors (objectives), and effective practices for successful mitigation or resolution of problems or taking full advantage of opportunities facing the cybersecurity community.

Click the "Register" button (upper-left) to receive the link to download this publication.

Download the 2022 National CyberWatch Center's Annual Report (May 31, 2033)

Tue, 31 May 2033 04:00:00 GMT

2022 National CyberWatch Center's Annual Report

This report highlights the tremendous impact that the CyberWatch Center has on increasing the readiness of workers, students, instructors, and researchers to meet the ever-growing threat to our nation’s security and prosperity. The CyberWatch Center’s many accomplishments would not be possible without the tremendous support and leadership provided by Dr. Corby Hovis, the ATE program director at the National Science Foundation, Dr. Falecia D. Williams, the president of Prince George’s Community College, our world-class program management team, and the hundreds of volunteers and dozens of alliance partners who guide and contribute their time, talent, and financial support of our programs.

Download the State of and Trends in Cybersecurity Capability Working Paper: "Designing and evaluating the effectiveness of CBML Curriculum" (May 31, 2033)

Tue, 31 May 2033 04:00:00 GMT

Hire Harford First: Designing and evaluating the effectiveness of adapting courses in an Information Assurance and Cybersecurity degree program to a Competency-Based Mastery Learning curriculum

This Advanced Technological Education (ATE) project, entitled Hire Harford First, sought to “develop curriculum and educational materials that are based on ATE-funded CyberWatch Center's practices, and to disseminate curricula, course materials, and best practices to the ATE and broader educational community, including insights whether competency-based learning produces graduates who are better capable of making immediate positive contributions upon entering the workplace.” HHF was a three-year study in the design, development, and implementation of innovative curriculum designed to foster Competency-Based Mastery Learning (CBML). The results showed “the strong potential to…produce more graduates, since it will reduce attrition, encourage persistence, and attract more participants based on its reputation of success.” When fully-implemented, CBML instructional design and associated instructional methods that “flip the classroom” whereby faculty become success coaches rather than instructors for students produced proficiency improvement, on average, of 1.94 sigma. Additionally, this research revealed important constraints to fully achieving the benefits of CBML instructional designs.

Download the Working Paper "Competence-Based Mastery Learning (CBML): A brief guide to what’s different about it and the effects on students and faculty" (May 31, 2033)

Tue, 31 May 2033 04:00:00 GMT

Competence-Based Mastery Learning (CBML): A brief guide to what’s different about it and the effects on students and faculty

Competency-Based Mastery Learning (CBML) is an evidence-based instructional design method that combines two techniques developed from research conducted by Benjamin Bloom. His research sought to overturn fundamental assumptions of the modern education system which originated in the early 20th century1. The Outcome-Based Education (OBE) model sought to select those worthy of advancement and career employment by conferring a learning outcome—a degree or certificate. OBE replaced an apprenticeship system of education that was not scalable. OBE was designed to make education available to the masses while ensuring efficient utilization of educational institution resources. Bloom believed that this instructional model was failing to meet the needs of most students and employers. The goal of education should not simply be graduation, but instead the development of proficient understanding as a foundation for developing competent performance in career-related learning objectives.

Download the Working Paper "Working Paper: The Two-Sigma Solution: Why competency-based mastery learning is more effective in readying students to succeed in college and a career" (May 31, 2033)

Tue, 31 May 2033 04:00:00 GMT

Working Paper: The Two-Sigma Solution: Why competency-based mastery learning is more effective in readying students to succeed in college and a career

In the 21st century, good teachers are being asked to use the supercharged version of a curriculum-driven instructional model that treats [students] as if they were learning on an assembly line. Covering way too much content at an unreasonable rate, with rigid pacing guides that make it impossible to find time to shape instruction to meet the individual needs of students, the system is breaking down. In spite of teaching to the test, our children are not doing better on international comparisons or compared to previous decades.
-- Bob Sornson (Over-tested and under-prepared, 2015)

This guide explains why competency-based mastery learning (CBML) is more aligned with student and employer needs. We review how the four main CBML features noted above are disrupting institutions, deepening understanding, and accelerating the development of expertise.

Download the Working Paper "Mitigating Machine Learning Risks within a Vulnerable SIEM to Prevent Biased SOC Decisions" (May 31, 2033)

Tue, 31 May 2033 04:00:00 GMT

Working Paper: Mitigating Machine Learning Risks within a Vulnerable SIEM to Prevent Biased SOC Decisions

In this working paper, authors Landmesser and Vommi explore weaknesses in machine learning systems used by a SIEM that present a technical issue, which can also negatively influence decisions made by SOC personnel. Incorrect ML classifications from APT attacks result in incorrect security decisions based on SIEM output, causing an even more damaging impact on required incident response.

Download the National CyberWatch Center's Cybersecurity Curriculum Guide: A Complete Solution for Higher Education Institutions (May 31, 2033)

Tue, 31 May 2033 04:00:00 GMT

National CyberWatch Center’s Cybersecurity Curriculum Guide: A Complete Solution for Higher Education Institutions v3

This guide, now in its third iteration, provides a complete curriculum solution for higher education institutions looking to create new cybersecurity programs and courses, and/or update existing ones.

The Guide is the culmination of input from the National CyberWatch Curriculum Standards Panels, industry partners, labor market demand research, and over 20 years of content development experience.

In addition to complete degrees and certificate templates, the technical courses have been mapped to effective instructional design practices, cyber range labs, the National Security Agency/Dept. of Homeland Security National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Knowledge Units (KUs), the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (NIST Special Publication 800-181), and industry competency and capability maturity models.

DOWNLOAD your copy today !!

Download the Federal Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Resource Guide (September 16, 2033)

Fri, 16 Sep 2033 04:00:00 GMT

This NSF-funded research project explored the viability of cybersecurity apprenticeships for federal agency pipeline support. During the 18-month effort – which ended in December 2020 – a Working Group of 15 federal, academic, and practitioner experts developed a strong dialog and presence in the apprenticeship space. Aided by close ties to the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Working Group on Apprenticeships, the project developed a deeper understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the apprenticeship model, and identified key ways to improve the adoption of apprenticeships.

Primary Audience: Federal Cybersecurity human resources and hiring managers.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Apprenticeships
What Do Current Apprenticeships Look Like?
Current Apprenticeship Footprint
Possible Barriers to Federal Adoption
Available High-Level Models
Engaging the Hiring Manager
Aligning Academic and OJT Requirements
The Value Proposition
Seeding the Way: Pilot Proposals to Agencies
Recommendations to NSF
National CyberWatch Center Working Group Membership
References

Download the 2017 Innovations in Cybersecurity Education Publication (January 14, 2034)

Sat, 14 Jan 2034 05:00:00 GMT

The National CyberWatch Innovations in Cybersecurity Education program was launched in the winter of 2016, as part of National CyberWatch’s Awards & Recognition program.

About the 2017 Innovations in Cybersecurity Education Publication

The deadline for application submissions was March 15, 2017. Shortly after, a panel of cybersecurity educators and National CyberWatch partners reviewed these submissions, 44 in total (far exceeding previous year's submission totals), and selected 5 for recognition. This reference document was created listing all nominations and the 5 winners.

Cyber Ready Professional upcoming events

Call for Mentors (January 01, 2026)

Cybersecurity Skills Journal (CSJ): Developing Dialogues for the NICE Special Issue (January 13, 2026)

Raising the BAR of Cybersecurity Capability Maturity: Five Years of Competency-based Instructional Design at the Community College Cyber Summit (February 04, 2026)

Cybersecurity Foundations Series: A Formative Competency- and Performance-Based Curriculum Program for Cybersecurity Education (February 04, 2026)

3CS Virtual (3CSv) Conference Series Session Interest Form (February 10, 2026)

Internship Recruitment - Project Manager or Program Ambassador (February 13, 2026)

3CS Virtual Conference Series (May 15, 2026)

Download the 2CDC Flyer (May 20, 2026)

Cyber Ready Professionals Program Application (June 30, 2026)

Call for Session Ideas: Cybersecurity Capabilities and Careers Summit (3CS) (June 30, 2026)

REGISTER NOW to submit your session idea!

Student Association - Share Your Academic Work & Research Through Our Network (July 07, 2026)

CyberWatch Cyber Ready Mentor Workshops (2026 Academic Year) (July 31, 2026)

Download the National Cybersecurity Student Association Chapter Recruitment Sign-up Form (September 01, 2026)

Download the National Cybersecurity Student Association Memberships & Chapters Information (January 21, 2027)

SP26: Student Chapter Semester Updates (August 01, 2027)

NCSA: Call for Webcast Presenters (September 01, 2027)

Download the 2021 Innovations in Cybersecurity Education Publication (September 30, 2030)

Download the CSJ NICE Framework Special Issue: Investigating Framework Adoption, Adaptation, or Extension, download (December 31, 2030)

Download the CSJ Community College Cyber Summit (3CS) Anniversary Special Issue: Five Years of Raising the Capability Maturity Bar (December 31, 2030)

Download the 2022 Innovations in Cybersecurity Education Publication (September 28, 2032)

Download the April 2023 Cybersecurity Skills Journal (CSJ) Diversifying the Cybersecurity Workforce Special Issue (May 24, 2033)

Download the 2022 National CyberWatch Center's Annual Report (May 31, 2033)

Download the State of and Trends in Cybersecurity Capability Working Paper: "Designing and evaluating the effectiveness of CBML Curriculum" (May 31, 2033)

Hire Harford First: Designing and evaluating the effectiveness of adapting courses in an Information Assurance and Cybersecurity degree program to a Competency-Based Mastery Learning curriculum

Download the Working Paper "Competence-Based Mastery Learning (CBML): A brief guide to what’s different about it and the effects on students and faculty" (May 31, 2033)

Competence-Based Mastery Learning (CBML): A brief guide to what’s different about it and the effects on students and faculty

Download the Working Paper "Working Paper: The Two-Sigma Solution: Why competency-based mastery learning is more effective in readying students to succeed in college and a career" (May 31, 2033)

Working Paper: The Two-Sigma Solution: Why competency-based mastery learning is more effective in readying students to succeed in college and a career

Download the Working Paper "Mitigating Machine Learning Risks within a Vulnerable SIEM to Prevent Biased SOC Decisions" (May 31, 2033)

Download the National CyberWatch Center's Cybersecurity Curriculum Guide: A Complete Solution for Higher Education Institutions (May 31, 2033)

Download the Federal Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Resource Guide (September 16, 2033)

Download the 2017 Innovations in Cybersecurity Education Publication (January 14, 2034)