Maryland Residents: Full Scholarships for Cybersecurity Training

Bethesda-based SANS Institute has been awarded an EARN (Employment Advancement Right Now) Implementation Grant from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). SANS, the world's leading provider of cybersecurity training and certification, is using the funds to provide qualified Maryland residents with full scholarships to attend the SANS Cyber Workforce Academy – Maryland. Training will be held at various locations throughout Maryland in conjunction with online classes.

The program features a series of cohorts through the end of 2019. Applications are open now through July 16 for the September 10, 2018 Academy and applications are open now through September 30 for the November 5, 2018 Academy. Program details are available at www.sans.org/cyberworkforce-md.

"We are honored to be a recipient of the EARN Maryland Implementation Grant," said Alan Paller, Director of Research, SANS Institute. “By bringing together local stakeholders and forming collaborative partnerships, we are creating an environment that addresses the pervasive cyber talent gap impacting industry and
government across Maryland."

This three-to-four-month accelerated cybersecurity training program offers students advanced technical training, industry-recognized GIAC certifications and hands-on cyber defense and incident handling skills
sought by Maryland employers. The Academy places emphasis on recruiting veterans and women and builds on the success of the SANS VetSuccess and Women’s Immersion Academies. Since 2015, these programs have provided scholarship-based cybersecurity training to more than 200 participants.

“As a veteran, I think it is wonderful that the SANS Institute has created this program and I thank the State of Maryland for its support as well,” said John O’Keefe, CISO, GEICO Corporation. “We expect a significant shortage of cybersecurity talent in the future, so this is excellent news."

SANS is collaborating with industry and nonprofits to support applicant recruitment and post-graduation job searches. The USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore and the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu
will help Academy graduates blend their newly acquired technical skills with soft skills, such as communication and leadership, to increase their attractiveness to employers.

“The SANS Cyber Workforce Academy – Maryland is just one more example of how the USO and our partners support the needs of our nation’s defenders,” said Pamela Horton, Vice President of Operations, USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore. “Transitioning military members are seeking up-to-date skills to complement the strong leadership attributes they obtained through their military career and
the fast-growing cybersecurity field is a natural fit for many.”

Leading Maryland employers across multiple sectors are committed to meeting with Academy graduates for employment consideration. Companies include:

• CACI
• GEICO
• Defense Point Security
• NTT Security
• ALTA IT Services
• RBR-Technologies
• Intellidyne
• Dataprise
• Thermo Fisher Scientific
• PLEX Solutions

According to Mike Mourelatos, CACI Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of National Services, “The SANS Institute is renowned and respected for its world-class cyber training. CACI is pleased to team with SANS on this critical workforce development initiative, which will help fill a pressing need for cybersecurity experts in industry and government.”

“Women's Society of Cyberjutsu (WSC) is thrilled to infuse diversity into the SANS Cyber Workforce Academy as well as help students find career opportunities. Women, and a diverse workforce, in general, bring a variety of backgrounds, viewpoints, and ideas that help drive better and more innovative security solutions,” said Lisa Jiggetts, Founder and CEO, WSC.

For more information about the SANS Cyber Workforce Academy – Maryland, please visit www.sans.org/cyberworkforce-md. For more information about Earn Maryland, please visit www.dllr.state.md.us/earn.