WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 31, 2023) -- The National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), the nation's leading nonprofit promoting cybersecurity education and awareness, is kicking off the 2nd year of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Cybersecurity Career Program "See Yourself In Cyber." "See Yourself In Cyber" aims to change the narrative around cybersecurity careers by showing students that there is a role in security for everyone and multiple pathways to a successful career. 

Starting this Fall semester, the National Cybersecurity Alliance, alongside public and private sector partners, will visit five schools across Alabama and Mississippi. 

• September 18, 2023: Alabama A&M University   

• September 19, 2023: Tuskegee University 

• September 21, 2023: Alabama State University   

• November 8, 2023: Alcorn State University 

• November 9, 2023: Jackson State University & Tougaloo College 

Each event features both public sector and private sector employers, guest speakers and recruiters, and local law enforcement departments to show students the variety of career paths offered in cyber as well as opportunities available in their communities. 

• Private sector partners include Amazon, TIAA, Dell Technologies, Trellix, and Tanium.  

• Public sector partners include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency. 

Launched in August 2022 in partnership with HBCUs and cybersecurity organizations, the HBCU Career Program aims to equip students with the necessary skills to navigate the search process for job positions in security, privacy, and risk to help build a pipeline of Black professionals to fill the cyber workforce gap.    

In the program's inaugural year, over 1,000 students across nine schools in Texas, Louisiana, and North and South Carolina attended Career Program events, met with recruiters, and attended speaking sessions and panels. Over 140 students have joined the HBCU Career Mentoring Program, connecting one-on-one and building lasting relationships with professionals in cybersecurity and privacy. Program mentors volunteer their time to work with students interested in these careers and provide tailored advice on what it's like to work in the cybersecurity industry, prep them for job interviews, and work together to craft their resumes and LinkedIn profiles. 

In April 2023, NCA partnered with One In Tech, an ISACA Foundation, to launch a scholarship program. The scholarship will provide support to individuals who are currently underrepresented in the industry by ensuring equitable access and advancements within the cybersecurity and tech careers. 

"See Yourself In Cyber" exemplifies the power partnerships between the public sector, private sector, academia, and nonprofits can have toward filling our nation's critical cyber workforce shortage. A program like this would not be possible without this ecosystem of partners. By unifying over shared goals and messaging, our partners create broader awareness for students and build lasting relationships with each other to continue the work long after.  

As technology evolves, the cyber industry is constantly evolving as well, and the HBCU Career Program aims to equip students with the tools and knowledge they need to excel not only in the jobs available today but in a variety of new career pathways to come in this dynamic industry. By focusing not only on technical skills but also soft skills and practical tools like networking, job interview techniques, and resume building, students are equipped with the foundations they need to qualify for and exceed in various roles, even as the cyber landscape and workforce needs evolve. 

For more information on the HBCU Career Program, please visit: https://staysafeonline.org/programs/hbcu-see-yourself-in-cyber/     To support the program and help advance the scholarship opportunities awarded, please visit https://oneintech.org/take-action/donate/online-donation/ and select “National Cybersecurity Alliance HBCU Scholarship.”   About the National Cybersecurity Alliance:  The National Cybersecurity Alliance is a non-profit organization on a mission to create a more secure, interconnected world. We advocate for the safe use of all technology and educate everyone on how best to protect ourselves, our families, and our organizations from cybercrime. We create strong partnerships between governments and corporations to amplify our message and to foster a greater “digital” good. For more information on the National Cybersecurity Alliance, please visit: www.staysafeonline.org.