National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program

The University of West Florida leads the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work®, a nationally scalable and sustainable cybersecurity workforce program to rapidly expand the number of qualified cybersecurity professionals. The program is funded by grants from the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Program ($2.5 million) at the National Security Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) ($1.5 million). The training is provided by a coalition of 10 institutions designated by the NSA as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C).

The CyberSkills2Work® program focuses on recruiting, preparing, and placing eligible transitioning military members, first responders, veterans, military spouses, and government personnel into cybersecurity work roles in our nation’s Critical Infrastructure Sectors, including defense industrial base, energy, and financial services.

The program prepares participants for 14 entry-level through advanced cybersecurity work roles that align with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. The program offers flexible training pathways, offered online, in-person or hybrid, by a coalition of 10 CAE-C designated institutions. Each pathway provides training courses, industry certifications, and digital credentials.

Additional information is available at CyberSkills2Work.org.

UWF CyberSkills2Work Training Program Information

In 2025, UWF will offer four training pathways to prepare participants for System Administrator and Cyber Defense Analyst work roles. The program will provide asynchronous online training courses, industry certification preparation, and vouchers, digital badges and credentials, professional development, job placement support.

Each pathway will be offered for a cohort of 30 eligible participants. All costs for eligible and accepted participants will be covered by the NSA or Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) grants.

System Administration Pathway

The Systems Administration Pathway is designed to prepare participants for entry-level system administrator or related work roles, which are responsible for setting up and maintaining a system or specific components of a system (for example, installing, configuring, and updating hardware and software; establishing and managing user accounts; overseeing or conducting backup and recovery tasks; implementing operational and technical security controls; and adhering to organizational security policies and procedures).

AI and Machine Learning for Cybersecurity Pathway (Entry Level)

The AI and Machine Learning for Cybersecurity Pathway is designed to prepare participants for roles that utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques to enhance cybersecurity defenses.

Defensive Cybersecurity Pathway (Intermediate Level)

The Defensive Cybersecurity Pathway is designed to prepare participants for cyber defense analyst and related work roles, which use defensive measures and information collected from a variety of sources to identify, analyze, and report events that occur, or might occur, within the network in order to protect information and information systems from threats.

AI and Data Management for Cybersecurity Pathway (Intermediate Level)

The AI and Data Management for Cybersecurity Pathway is designed to prepare participants for cybersecurity roles through artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and data management knowledge, skills, and certifications, including CompTIA Security+, ISACA AI Fundamentals and EC-Council Generative AI for Cybersecurity.

Visit the UWF CyberSkills2Work Program page to learn more and to apply!

Employers Interested in Hiring Program Graduates

Employers can connect with 3300+ CyberSkills2Work® learners and alumni across the nation! Learners and alumni can post their resumes and highlight their clearances and certifications to employers.

Joining the CyberSkills2Work® National Employers Network provides organizations with first access to those who have recently completed CyberSkills2Work® training, earned industry certifications, and have related experience or clearance. Joining is FREE! Simply complete the brief application form and we will get back to you.

Join today! Visit https://cyberskills2work.org/i/employers.

CAE-C Institutions Interested in Joining the Program

If you are a CAE-C designated institution that offers a cybersecurity workforce program or is developing one and are interested in joining the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, please complete the interest form.

Organizations and Individuals Interested in Supporting the Program

If you or your organization are interested in supporting the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, please complete the interest form. We welcome individuals and organizations interested in providing support to expand program support for underrepresented and underserved populations, including transitioning military and first responders, veterans, women, and minorities. We also welcome those interested in promoting and marketing the program.

CAE-C Coalition Team

University of West Florida (Lead Institution)

Augusta University

Dakota State University

Eastern New Mexico University - Ruidoso

Florida International University

Metropolitan State University

San Antonio College

University of Houston

University of South Florida – Cyber Florida

University of Texas at San Antonio

Contact Us

For additional information or questions, please contact Francine Coller at fcoller@uwf.edu.

Resources

This program is part of the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work®, and funded by the National Security Agency National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Program and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).