New Grant Enhances Security Training Scholarship Program with AI
Component and Military Track to Continue Boosting Cybersecurity
Education and Diversity
COOKEVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 14,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Craig Newmark
Philanthropies (CNP) is excited to announce a $250,000 grant to Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS),
furthering its mission to empower women in the cybersecurity
industry. This new funding will bolster WiCyS's Security Training
Scholarship program, which is designed to cultivate diverse talent
and address the ongoing workforce shortage in cybersecurity.
"Cybersecurity is a field where everyone
who can contribute should be involved. WiCyS plays a vital role in
making this possible by opening doors for talented individuals
regardless of their background," said Craig
Newmark.
Thanks to CNP's funding, WiCyS can enhance its program with an
AI component, ensuring timely and critical skills development that
meets the needs of employers and equips graduates at the
intersection of AI and cybersecurity as they move into new jobs.
Additionally, the program is adding a military track specifically
designed to recruit and support women veterans and military
spouses, addressing their unique challenges through focused
outreach and essential wrap-around services. This grant joins a
distinguished group of premier supporters, Bloomberg and Center for
Internet Security, with additional funding from WiCyS Tier One
Strategic Partners.
Craig Newmark, founder of
craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, has long championed
the values of fairness and opportunity. This support for WiCyS
aligns with CNP's broader mission to strengthen U.S. national
security and build a more inclusive cybersecurity workforce. By
investing in WiCyS, CNP continues its commitment to advancing
grassroots efforts that drive meaningful progress and civic
engagement.
"Cybersecurity is a field where everyone who can contribute
should be involved. WiCyS plays a vital role in making this
possible by opening doors for talented individuals regardless of
their background," said Craig
Newmark. "Our grant is a step towards ensuring that more
women have the opportunity to make a significant impact in
cybersecurity."
Now in its fifth year, the Security Training Scholarship
program, originally developed in collaboration with Google and the
SANS Institute in 2020, has been instrumental in launching and
advancing the careers of women in cybersecurity. The program
provides comprehensive training, industry certifications, and a
supportive community of mentors and peers.
The program has already empowered hundreds of women, helping
them secure positions at leading companies such as Apple, Deloitte,
Microsoft and Southwest Airlines.
Hannah Rapetti, a former military
spouse and graduate from the Security Training Scholarship, had the
following to say about her experience, "...WiCyS stands out as a
beacon of change, fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere
led by women. It's reshaping the cybersecurity landscape, providing
a network where I no longer feel dependent on traditional channels.
Instead, I can lean on the relationships cultivated through
conferences and programs. It's empowering to be part of this
transformative movement, where a diverse group is leading the way
forward."
Applications for the program are open until August 30, 2024. For more information on the
Security Training Scholarship program, please visit
https://www.wicys.org/benefits/security-training-scholarship/.
About WiCyS
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, trainings, events and resources for its
community and members. Strategic partners include Tier 1: Akamai
Technologies, Amazon, Bloomberg, Carnegie
Mellon University – Software Engineering Institute, Cisco,
Ford Motor Company, Google, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Optum,
Sandia National Laboratories, SentinelOne. Tier 2: Accenture,
Adobe, DeVry University, JPMorgan Chase
& Co., MITRE, Motorola Solutions, Navy Federal Credit Union,
Workday. To partner, visit
http://www.wicys.org/support/strategic-partnerships/.
About Craig Newmark Philanthropies
Craig Newmark is a Web pioneer and
philanthropist, best known for creating the online classified ads
service craigslist. Craig's full-time philanthropic work focuses on
organizations on the frontlines of protecting America's security
and democracy. He has given more than $300
million in support of veterans and military families,
trustworthy journalism and civic engagement campaigns, cyber
security education programs, hunger relief, and pigeon rescue.
Craig was influenced by his Sunday
School teachers who escaped the Holocaust, set his moral
compass, and taught him to treat people like you want to be treated
– and how to know when enough is enough.
Media Contact
Lynn Dohm, Women in CyberSecurity
(WiCyS), 815-530-7307, lynn@wicys.org, https://www.wicys.org/
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SOURCE Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS)