Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy

Join the Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy

CISA’s Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy provides full-time federal employees an opportunity to focus on professional growth through an intense, full-time, three-month accelerated training program. Those interested in developing foundational cybersecurity skills are encouraged to apply.

Skilling Academy Pathways

The Skilling Academy offers multiple training pathways to help students branch out into various cyber workroles.

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Cyber Defense Analyst Pathway

This Pathway helps participants develop their cyber defense skills through training in the baseline knowledge, skills, and abilities of a Cyber Defense Analyst.

CDFA icon with a shield and lock with cyber nodes on both sides

Cyber Defense Forensics Analyst Pathway

This Pathway helps participants develop their cyber defense skills through training in the baseline knowledge, skills, and abilities of a Cyber Defense Forensics Analyst.

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Cyber Defense Incident Responder Pathway

This Pathway helps participants develop their cyber defense skills through training in the baseline knowledge, skills, and abilities of a Cyber Defense Incident Responder.

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Vulnerability Assessment Analyst Pathway

This Pathway helps participants develop their cyber defense skills through training in the baseline knowledge, skills, and abilities of a Vulnerability Assessment Analyst.

Upcoming Sessions

Information about upcoming courses and schedules will be announced in FY25.

I would say to any future students out there looking to learn more about Cybersecurity, whether you have the knowledge or not, [the Skilling Academy] is eye opening.

FY23 CDA Pathway Student

This class may be challenging and accelerated, but [the Skilling Academy] will give you some crucial information to help keep your systems from potentially being vulnerable.

FY23 CDA Pathway Student

Coming from knowing little to nothing, I realized while preparing this speech, that I have learned so much that I can barely pinpoint a single thing as my favorite or most important.

FY23 CDA Pathway Student

From understanding the framework of cyber threats to investigating complex malware, we improved our skills in identifying vulnerabilities and how to deploy effective countermeasures. We learned to think like and speak the language of hackers, anticipating their moves in a game of cat and mouse.

FY23 CDA Pathway Student

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Have questions? Learn everything you need to know and more about the Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy by reading the FAQs below.

Visit our FAQ page

Contact Us

Need more information?

Contact the Skilling Academy Team by emailing SkillingAcademy@cisa.dhs.gov. Emails are typically responded to within three business days.

Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy Privacy Act Statement

Authority: 5 U.S.C. § 301, 44 U.S.C. § 3101, and 6 U.S.C. 652(c)(11) authorize the collection of this information.

Purpose: The information gathered will be used to establish the federal applicant's eligibility for the Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy, and if selected to participate in the program, create a Cyberworld Institute (CWI) and COMTECH Corp. account, contact students about opportunities for cybersecurity training, and provide information about the classes offered by the Skilling Academy.

Routine Uses: Information collected may be disclosed as generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. § 552a(b) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. This includes using the information as necessary and authorized by the routine uses published in DHS/All-003 Department of Homeland Security General Training Records, November 25, 2008, 73 FR 71656 and DHS/ALL-004 General Information Technology Access Account Records System (GITAARS), November 27, 2012, 77 FR 70792. If accepted into the program, names and email addresses will be disclosed to Cyberworld Institute (CWI) and COMTECH Corp. to allow access to the learning content.

Disclosure: Providing this information is voluntary. However, failure to provide this information may prevent CISA from deciding applicant eligibility, creating a Cyberworld Institute (CWI) and COMTECH Corp. account if selected to participate in the program and contacting you in the event there are queries about your request or registration