Cyber Workforce Foundation exists to equip aspiring cybersecurity professionals and educators with the resources, training, and opportunities to succeed in this high-demand, high-wage industry.
Introducing Cyber EDGE
Dedicated to building a diverse & capable cybersecurity workforce.
The Cyber Workforce Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the cybersecurity talent pipeline by supporting learners and educators. Our mission is to reduce barriers to entry, foster industry engagement, and enhance professional development in cybersecurity. Through strategic partnerships and dedicated initiatives, we strive to create a sustainable and inclusive cybersecurity ecosystem that benefits learners and industry professionals.
The cost of certification exams, study materials, and practice tests can be another barrier for learners. The foundation, through an established partner organization, will ensure learners get the most cost-effective pricing on these resources. When possible, the foundation will fully cover these costs for learners.
Learning the knowledge, skills, and tasks to be employable in cybersecurity and earning an industry-based certification is only part of the development process. The foundation is dedicated to ensuring all individuals can participate in work-based learning, internships, and apprenticeships to learn first-hand what the daily work life is all about.
The cybersecurity industry is growing in unification efforts, including expanding industry professional organizations at the local chapter, state, and national levels. Providing individuals with opportunities to attend these events, network with industry professionals, and develop social capital will be critical as they grow into the careers they seek. The foundation will seek funding to allow attendees to attend and engage at no cost to themselves.
Often called soft skills, 21st-century skills, and durable skills, the foundation understands that non-technical skills are just as much a part of the employment requirements as the technical skills required to complete the tasks assigned. Therefore, we will ensure that all individuals in the cybersecurity pipeline have opportunities to excel in non-technical skills critical to working in cybersecurity.
As with students, industry-related events are critical to building a highly qualified teaching force. Providing educators with opportunities to attend these events, network with industry professionals, and develop social capital to engage industry in their classrooms. The foundation will seek funding to allow educators to attend and engage at no cost. Additionally, over time, we will work with partners to develop and deliver a companion event for educators to process their learning.
Education has a long-standing tradition of teachers being placed into teaching positions based on tenure, certification, and tradition. The foundation strives to elevate the position of teaching cybersecurity. It will work to fund strategies, within guidelines and employer direction, to incentivize teachers to take on the opportunity of educating our next cyber workforce.
Without specific teacher certification for cybersecurity instruction in Texas and nationwide, cybersecurity teachers are often appointed to teaching positions and seek a community to grow their cybersecurity knowledge. The foundation will work together with districts, higher education institutions, and industry to design, develop, and deliver professional learning opportunities to ensure the cybersecurity instructors in the classroom are among the best-prepared CTE instructors.
