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Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) launches Veteran Assistance Program

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According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are over 20 million veterans in the U.S. Female veterans account for 9% of the veteran population.


AURORA, Colo. (PRWEB)

For women who have transitioned from the military to civilian workforce, Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) is here to help them navigate into or advance in a cybersecurity career through a new Veteran Assistance Program. Veterans can now apply for the WiCyS Veteran Fellowship Awards through Dec. 15.

By now it’s not news that the U.S. is suffering a severe shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals. Yet many female veterans face challenges, such as a lack of understanding their transferable skills and unstable employment, in finding work within the cybersecurity industry. WiCyS, a nonprofit membership organization in the U.S. with an international reach, aims to eliminate those barriers and offer these women the opportunity to thrive in this tech field. Through the WiCyS Veteran Assistance Program, female veterans will have a vested network supporting their cybersecurity career development while helping fill the field’s massive job shortage.

“According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are over 20 million veterans in the U.S. Female veterans account for 9% of the veteran population (1). That’s almost two million female veterans who are highly skilled and have received specialized training in fields that are applicable to meet the demanding cybersecurity jobs the industry is seeking to fill, (2)” said Dr. Amelia Estwick, director of National Cybersecurity Institute of Excelsior College, vice president of the WiCyS Mid-Atlantic Affiliate and U.S. Army veteran.

WiCyS is dedicated to bringing together women and allies in cybersecurity from academia, research and industry to share knowledge and experience, network and mentor. Veterans who join this program will be connected with resources, opportunities, and mentors within WiCyS’s network of partners and sponsors. Benefits include discounted WiCyS memberships, opportunities to earn a Veteran Fellowship Award (sponsored by Craig Newmark Philanthropies) that will cover travel to the conference, access to an exclusive veteran community forum and more.

Applications for the WiCyS Veteran Fellowship Award are open until Dec. 15. To learn more about the WiCyS Veteran Assistance Program and apply for the award, https://www.wicys.org/veterans.

About WiCyS:

Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) is the premier nonprofit organization with international reach dedicated to bringing together women in cybersecurity. Founded by Dr. Ambareen Siraj from Tennessee Tech University through a National Science Foundation grant in 2013, WiCyS offers opportunities and resources for its members and collaboration benefits for its sponsors and partners. The organization’s founding partners are Cisco, Facebook and Palo Alto Networks. WiCyS’ strategic partners include Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Equifax, Facebook, Fidelity Investments, Google, HERE, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Nike, Optum, PayPal, SANS Institute, and Target. To sponsor the upcoming 2020 conference, visit https://www.wicys.org/conference-sponsor.

To become a strategic partner for all year long engagement, visit https://www.wicys.org/become-a-partner.

Sources:

1 – http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/11/10/the-changing-face-of-americas-veteran-population/

2 – https://www.uscybersecurity.net/csmag/female-veterans-ready-to-fill-cybersecurity-jobs/

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