A United Effort to Build the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Professionals
SANS Institute is proud to introduce the Southeastern Cyber Workforce Alliance (SECWA), an ambitious initiative set to redefine cybersecurity workforce development across the Southeastern United States. This transformative program, supported by SANS' first-ever federal grant and bolstered by partnerships with NPOs, employers, academic institutions, with support from the NIST NICE RAMPS program, will deliver no-cost cybersecurity training to individuals from underrepresented groups, equipping them with the skills to thrive in high-demand, high-paying careers in the cybersecurity field.
“This is a significant step forward for aspiring cybersecurity professionals in the Southeast,” said Max Shuftan, Director of Mission Programs at SANS Institute. “SECWA is about creating genuine opportunities for those who have historically been overlooked. By equipping students with essential skills and connecting them to meaningful careers, we’re addressing pressing workforce needs and, more importantly, giving individuals the tools to shape their own futures.”
This initiative has an ecosystem of 15 stakeholders partners and aligns with the White House National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES) and the NICE Strategic Plan, emphasizing outreach to Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), women, and students or alumni from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), with the goal of fostering long-term impact on both individuals and their communities.
"SECWA is about creating real opportunities for people and giving individuals the tools to build lasting careers in a field that needs their perspectives and talents. Programs like this are how we grow a stronger, more inclusive workforce that truly reflects the world we’re working to secure,” remarked Lynn Dohm, Executive Director of Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS).
The SECWA program will span three key stages:
- Stage 1 – Outreach & Admission: Targeted outreach to underserved communities across 11 Southeastern states and the District of Columbia.
- Stage 2 – SEC275 Cyber Foundations: Participants will complete foundational cybersecurity training and pursue the GFACT industry certification, aligned to entry-level jobs in the field.
- Stage 3 – SANS.edu Undergraduate Certificate Scholarships: Selected participants will advance to earn an Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity, a credential associated with an average starting salary of $104,000 for graduates that leads to hands-on, technical jobs in cybersecurity such as SOC Analyst, Incident Responder, Threat Hunter, Pen Tester, Forensics Examiner, and more.
“This program has the power to change lives,” said Shuftan. “By offering a clear pathway to lucrative cybersecurity careers, we are opening doors for individuals to achieve personal success while making a meaningful impact in securing our digital world.”
By partnering with community organizations, academic institutions, and nonprofits across the region, SECWA will enroll 40 students into the SEC275: Foundations: Computers, Technology, & Security course, with ten students advancing to complete the SANS.edu Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity. The program focuses on creating a supportive and inclusive pathway for students to achieve their professional goals while addressing critical workforce gaps in the cybersecurity industry by securing jobs with employer partners.
Applications for SECWA open on January 22, 2025, and will close on February 28, 2025. Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C. are eligible states.
For more information and to apply, visit the SANS SECWA Application Page.