Interested in a lucrative career in cybersecurity?
Free Education Opportunities for Military
Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing career fields in the nation, with a 0% unemployment rate and median salary upwards of $90k in Idaho.
With statistics like that, it’s understandable that careers in the cybersecurity field are highly attractive for transitioning military members and spouses. Moreover, members of the military community are often a natural fit because of their aptitude for problem solving, attention to detail, and ability to learn and adapt quickly.
If you’re thinking about a career in this field, most employers prefer at least a Bachelor’s degree, along with a number of other industry standard certifications. While the income potential is great, you may want to consider maximizing your VA education benefits, as you’ll periodically need to renew or obtain a certification. The options below are free to eligible military members, veterans, and military spouses, and can help launch a lucrative career in cybersecurity.
MISSION43 CYBERSECURITY ACADEMY WITH SANS INSTITUTE
Through a partnership with SANS Institute, one of the most prestigious cybersecurity training and certification providers in the industry, we are supporting eligible members through a series of certifications, preparing them to meet the needs of the Idaho cybersecurity job market with an estimated average entry-level salary of over $60k annually. Mission43 will provide full scholarships to selected participants. SANS reports that 90% of graduates land new jobs in cybersecurity within 6 months of program completion. It’s our goal to introduce new cybersecurity talent into the civilian and Federal workforce. The ideal candidate for this program is:
Free education options
Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE) is a partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and Hire our Heroes to offer free, online cybersecurity training and certification prep courses like Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program offers cybersecurity scholarships to outstanding undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students of up to $34,000 to cover costs at a participating institution. In return for financial support, participants must agree to work for the U.S. Government, in a cybersecurity related field, for a period of time matching the length of the scholarship. In Idaho, students can attend either the University of Idaho or Idaho State University.
Cisco Veterans Cyber Scholarship Program, in partnership with CyberVetsUSA, provides free online cybersecurity training and certifications to transitioning service members, guard/reserve, veterans, and military spouses. The training is self-paced and usually takes 12-14 weeks to complete. Foundational IT/networking experience is recommended.
Onward to Opportunity is a partnership between the Institute for Veterans and Military Families and Syracuse University. O2O is a free program for transitioning military members and military spouses that offers industry standard certifications in areas like customer service, information technology, and business management. O2O courses are offered online for members in Idaho, and include some of the most sought-after certifications: CompTIA A+. Security+, CASP+, SSCP, CISSP, and many more!
Second Watch, created by Palo Alto Networks, believes that veterans have intrinsic skills needed in the cybersecurity arena. The program features 9 self-paced steps that guide you through digital learning courses, leading to free Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) and Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity (PCCSA) exams. Veterans can also take free courses leading to the (paid) Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Engineer (PCNSE) exam.
SANS VetSuccess Immersion Academy: If you already have a degree and/or some experience in information technology, information security, or audit from military service, this free SANS immersion might be right for you. Eligible transitioning service members and active duty spouses can complete up to three SANS courses and industry-leading certifications. Candidates must meet Academy requirements and submit an application, online assessment, and personal interview.
Skills gap in Idaho
The options above are great resources for all skill levels, but especially for those looking to stack their skills for marketability. Taking advantage of one or more of these opportunities can lead to a promising career in a short amount of time, as there is currently a high need for web and Java developers in Idaho and not enough graduates to fill open job positions.
If you’re new to the information security/cybersecurity field, it’s a good idea to establish your career goals and build your education plan accordingly. Local tech recruiters suggest that having a Bachelor’s degree in computer science can not only open more employment doors, but also lead to a $10+ an hour wage increase.