Unlocking Cybersecurity Careers: The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship

The cybersecurity industry is facing a significant workforce shortage, requiring a proactive approach to identify and cultivate talent from diverse backgrounds. The Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Security Training Scholarship program stands as a beacon of opportunity, offering a multi-tiered pathway for women to launch and advance their careers in this critical field. This scholarship prioritizes aptitude, grit, and drive, breaking down barriers to entry and fostering a supportive community.

Overview of the WiCyS Security Training Scholarship

The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship, made possible by WiCyS Tier 1 Partners and Premier Supporters, is designed to address the cybersecurity workforce shortage by providing a reliable pathway for WiCyS members to develop skills and advance in their cybersecurity careers. The scholarship focuses on awarding WiCyS members who are seeking cybersecurity employment within the next 18 months and is tailored for both students and career changers. The 2025-2026 program includes a dedicated Veteran and Military Spouse Track, recognizing the significant contributions that veterans and military spouses make to the cybersecurity sector by leveraging their military experience and mission-oriented backgrounds. With the generous support of Craig Newmark Philanthropies, WiCyS is pleased to offer enhanced services to this community.

Building a Powerful Community

A cornerstone of the WiCyS Security Training Scholarship is the emphasis on community building. During each tier of the scholarship, a cohort is established with mentors and peers to guide and support recipients. This network provides invaluable support throughout the scholarship experience. The friendly corroboration of our group during our challenges and projects enabled many of us with different levels of experience to both receive assistance from and also give assistance to others in our group easily. This highly synergistic collaboration has enabled us to cover an intense amount of information in a relatively short period of time; I never felt like I was alone with my questions and so much information was shared between us it would have taken me years on my own to have this quantity of exposure.

Veteran and Military Spouse Track

WiCyS acknowledges the significant contributions that veterans and military spouses make to the cybersecurity sector, leveraging their military experience and mission-oriented backgrounds. With the generous support of Craig Newmark Philanthropies, WiCyS is pleased to offer enhanced support services.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship is open to all WiCyS members aged 18 and older. Applicants must be prepared to enter the job market within 18 months of starting the program. Only new applicants will be accepted. Applications are open now through Aug. 30, 2025.

Initial Assessment: SANS Beginner-Level CTF

All eligible applicants are invited to participate in the SANS Beginner-level CTF (Capture the Flag). This beginner-level CTF is a fun and exciting way to practice cybersecurity skills in a friendly environment. This multi-disciplined Capture the Flag system has over 28 content packs and a variety of engaging challenges for participants to discover their strengths while challenging their limits.

Scholarship Tiers and Training Modules

The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship program is composed of multiple stages. Each stage has specific criteria. The program is a multi-stage, transformative initiative made possible by WiCyS Tier 1 Partners and Premier Supporters. Each phase of the scholarship program builds on the one before it, offering performance-based advancement through stages that include beginner-level skills development, certification preparation and employer visibility.

Tier 1: Gamified Learning

400 recipients will be invited to participate in the Gamified Learning. Participants learn by following structured paths and build skills in a real-world environment by completing guided, objective-based tasks and challenges.

Tier 2: SEC275/Foundations Course + GFACT Certification Exam and AIS 247/ AI Security Essentials for Business Leaders

Participants will be invited to participate in the SEC275/Foundations course + GFACT certification exam and AIS 247/ AI Security Essentials for Business Leaders. SEC 275 is an online interactive hands-on learning program that includes 59 modules of foundational material without which students generally struggle in advanced cybersecurity training and in technical cybersecurity roles. Participants will acquire a strong understanding of devices and networks while rapidly progressing into the key concepts of protecting digital components. Additionally, the fundamentals of Windows, Linux, and programming in two languages widely used by cybersecurity professionals are taught. AIS 247 is essential training for professionals navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in the business world. This training provides a thorough exploration of generative AI (GenAI), starting with a foundational understanding of why GenAI has become a key strategic element in various industries. It delves into the mechanisms of GenAI, including topics such as prompt engineering and the complexities of large language models. Participants of this tier will also be invited to complete the GFACT certification. This certification validates a practitioner’s knowledge of essential foundational cybersecurity concepts.

Tier 4: Advanced Training

At the end of Tier 4: 65 recipients will be invited to participate in the SANS SEC275: Foundations course + GFACT certification exam and AIS 247/ AI Security Essentials for Business Leaders. SEC401 is an interactive hands-on training course. The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification validates a practitioner’s knowledge of information security beyond simple terminology and concepts. SEC504 is for individuals who lead or are a part of an incident handling team. General security practitioners, system administrators, and security architects will benefit by understanding how to design, build, and operate their systems to thwart attacks. The GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) certification validates a practitioner’s ability to detect, respond, and resolve computer security incidents using a wide range of essential security skills. GCIH certification holders have the knowledge needed to manage security incidents by understanding common attack techniques, vectors, and tools, as well as defend against and respond to such attacks when they occur.

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Success Stories: Realizing Potential and Launching Careers

The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship has a proven track record of transforming lives and launching successful cybersecurity careers. The program has achieved a 92% career placement rate for advanced training scholars within 12 months of completion for job seekers reaching the final stage. Past participants have moved into roles such as Cloud Security Engineer, SOC Analyst, Incident Responder and Penetration Tester in under a year. Here are a few inspiring stories:

Anna Rawles: Completed her WiCyS Security Training program with certifications in GFACT, GSEC, and GCIH. Before her admittance to the scholarship, she worked in bioinformatics, analyzing data sets. After attending the WiCyS meeting in Cleveland, she secured an interview and offer with Southwest Airlines as an Associate Technology Analyst.
Merina Witz: Worked as an IT Specialist for the Wisconsin Public Department of Instruction for the past 6 years. After being accepted to the WiCyS Security Training scholarship, she earned her GIAC certifications in GFACT, GSEC, and GCIH. Upon completion of her training, she applied for an internal position and received a promotion to IAM Architect.
Kathleen Gibson: Prior to SANS, Kathleen Gibson’s career was in project management, where she worked in various health and higher education institutions. During her training in the WiCyS Security Training scholarship, she obtained contract positions in technical project management and security research. After she obtained her GIAC certifications in GFACT, GCLD, and GCPN, her cyber career launched as she accepted a position at Apple as a Security Engineer.

These are just a few examples of the many women who have benefited from the WiCyS Security Training Scholarship. Their stories demonstrate the transformative power of the program and the potential it unlocks for women from diverse backgrounds.

Testimonials

Lauren Gutierrez: “The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship experience has been unlike anything I have experienced in my life. I have gained an incredible support system, and access to hundreds of resources, and have the honor of taking classes with SANS, the most respected cyber training program in the world. I am a mom to two children and a former Kindergarten teacher who made the bold decision to move into cybersecurity."
Andrea Chavez: “This one-of-a-kind experience allowed me to, not only gain new Cybersecurity-related skills, but also gain the most beautiful and genuine friendships I never thought I would find."
Jessica Suarez: “Being a recipient of the WiCyS Security Training Scholarship has provided me with resources, support, and an uplifting community and cohort. This scholarship has fostered growth in my abilities by providing training that may be inaccessible without this opportunity."
Emily Schlieff: “The Security Training Scholarship provides me with resources to be more successful in my role as a Reverse Engineer for Computershare. Furthermore, I have gained the confidence to join security-related projects within my company, which has allowed me to connect with peers in our Security department."
Rowena Elaine J. Echevarria: “I am a career-changer. I was so lost before with no mentor/s for guidance on how and where I should start my cybersecurity career."
Leanne Kirkham: “The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship program gave me an opportunity to comfortably dive headfirst into a new world of cybersecurity with an amazingly supportive cohort."
Lindsey Hinz: “This scholarship is a wonderful way to learn foundational knowledge in cybersecurity and get hands-on experience using professional skills. Each tier of the scholarship is rewarding, but the SANS classes and certifications are a way to help solidify success in obtaining the career we are all working so hard for."
Sadhvi Selvaraj: “The multi staged SANS/Google scholarship allowed me to gain invaluable technical skills from CTF and gamified learning platform, it further provided insight into the right cybersecurity path for me from the CyberGEN IQ assessment."
Susannah Clark Matt: “For most of my life, I’ve considered myself a humanities person with only ‘soft skills’ to offer. I thought that was just the way my brain worked. While competing for the Security Training Scholarship, I unlocked an entirely new mode of thinking, expanding not just my capabilities, but my confidence."
Anisha Srivastava: “The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship has helped me rewrite my narrative as a woman in STEM and bolstered my belief in my potential."
Oorja Rugta: “Winning the WiCyS security training scholarship I have gained the confidence to approach opportunities in the cybersecurity field that I felt were far beyond me earlier."
Constanze Roedig: “I had been wanting to transition into CyberSec for some years, and this scholarship provided the ideal format to ease into this complex field."
Bhawini Tripathi: “Through its various stages, WiCyS Security Training Scholarship has provided me the fantastic opportunity to learn and apply a gamut of cybersecurity concepts."
Kristen Cotten: “I really struggled with a loss of identity and a loss of community when I decided to make a career change and quit my full-time job to relocate with my husband when he re-enlisted in the Army."
Apoorva Singh: “WiCyS has opened up a whole new world of opportunities and made me realize my true potential."
Linda La: “When I was navigating my career transition to cybersecurity in the early stages of the pandemic, I found the multi-stage WiCyS/SANS/Google Training Scholarship. The program gave me the skills and confidence to get a job in the industry, and the extraordinary members of the community inspired me to do my best."
Harsha Deepa: “WiCyS empowered me to take forward my journey in this wonderful field of cyber security."
Astride Desperoux: “I am grateful for all the encouragement, support, and opportunities I’ve had through WiCyS."
Hema Pillay: “WiCyS/SANS Security Training Scholarship made possible by Google is one of my best investments of 2020."
Lauren Gallegos: “Between an overwhelming Fall and feeling ‘lost’ after finishing a degree, the SANS Scholarship opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time for me."
Liz Beattie: “Becoming a member of the WiCyS community has become one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made to date in my professional life."
Aimee Reyes: “Since participating in a variety of WiCyS training opportunities I have: Received offers to intern at Intel (software engineer in their client computing group) and Amazon (security engineer). I didn’t know internships paid this well!"
Christine Morency: “Be Dynamic. Follow Through."
Melinda Bigger: “I joined WiCyS only 6 months ago, and I have benefited so much from my membership."
Jennifer Otieno: “If I wasn’t sure a career in cybersecurity was for me before the training began, now I am 100% certain."
Luíza Machado: “WiCyS has given me opportunities I would never dream to have."

WiCyS Conference

You’re invited to network and grow your skills at the annual Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) technical conference. Apply for reduced conference rate registration and two nights of complimentary shared lodging. Pre-conference workshops will begin on Wednesday, March 11, followed by sessions on Thursday and Friday morning. The career fair will be held Thursday morning and afternoon, and Friday morning.

Conference Scholarships

Student Scholarship applicants must be a WiCyS Student Member. Students also have the opportunity to present their research in poster format at the conference. Faculty Scholarship applicants must be a WiCyS Faculty Member. Equity & Advancement Scholarship applicants must be a WiCyS Member. Scholarships provide reduced rate registration (includes all activities and meals) and two nights of complimentary shared lodging-March 11 & 12. Travel Stipends are a fixed amount of $500. The payment is made after the conference has ended. Awardee can decide the use of the $500. Receipts are not required. Suggested uses include airfare, airport transportation, meals not included in conference registration, airport parking, etc. There is no option to increase the stipend should expenses be more than $500. Stipend payment is made via direct deposit. Stipend payment requires completion of any volunteer hours (if applicable) or poster session participation (if applicable).

Addressing the Cybersecurity Workforce Shortage

The cybersecurity industry faces a critical workforce shortage with 4.8 million professionals needed worldwide-a 19% increase year over year according to the ISC2 Workforce Study (Sept. 2024). Addressing this gap requires looking beyond traditional career pipelines and recognizing the untapped potential of those from unconventional backgrounds such as nursing, teaching, social work and more-fields where problem-solving, communication and resilience are already well-honed. The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship is designed to break down barriers to entry, prioritizing aptitude, grit and drive over prior technical experience. WiCyS plays a vital role in making this possible by opening doors for talented individuals regardless of their background.

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About WiCyS, SANS Institute, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies

Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) is a nonprofit organization with international reach dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in cybersecurity. Founded by Dr. Ambareen Siraj through a National Science Foundation grant given to Tennessee Tech University in 2013, WiCyS offers opportunities, training, events, and resources for its community and members.

SANS Institute was established in 1989 as a cooperative research and education organization. Today, SANS is the most trusted and, by far, the largest provider of cybersecurity training and certification to professionals in government and commercial institutions worldwide. Renowned SANS instructors teach more than 85 courses at in-person and virtual cybersecurity events and OnDemand. GIAC, an affiliate of the SANS Institute, validates practitioner skills through more than 50 hands-on technical certifications in cybersecurity.

Craig Newmark Philanthropies was founded by Craig Newmark, a Web pioneer best known for creating craigslist. Craig's full-time philanthropic work focuses on supporting organizations protecting America's security and democracy. He has given more than $300 million in support of veterans and military families, nonpartisan journalism, cybersecurity education programs, hunger relief, and pigeon rescue.

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