COHORT 5 & 6 – FEBRUARY 2024

The application period for Cohorts 5 & 6 closes on January 3, 2024.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy helps civilian federal employees develop their cyber defense skills through training in the baseline knowledge, skills, and abilities of a cyber defense analyst (CDA). Students will have the opportunity to focus on professional growth through an intense, full-time, three-month accelerated training program. Those looking to make a career change, join the cybersecurity community, or learn cybersecurity skills are encouraged to apply for the Skilling Academy.

Program Dates

Cohorts 5 and 6 are held entirely online and run from February 5, 2024, through May 15, 2024, with a mandatory four-hour New Student Orientation scheduled for January 29, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) for Cohort 5 and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) for Cohort 6.

If accepted, you will be required to participate Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays. Please note that you will not be able to maintain your Alternative Work Schedule during the program. It is expected that you will return to your regular duty assignment during breaks unless your home agency has approved leave.

Application Deadline

For Cohorts 5 and 6 starting on February 5, 2024, the Skilling Academy will only accept complete application packages that are received by 12:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 3, 2023.

• Application packages received after the application period closes may be considered for future program cycles if there are slots available. 

Acceptance Notification

Applicants for Cohorts 5 and 6 will receive an email of acceptance or denial no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on January 3, 2024. Accepted applicants are required to attend the mandatory virtual orientation on Monday, January 29, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) for Cohort 5 and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) for Cohort 6. The accepted applicant’s supervisor will also be invited to attend the orientation. It is highly recommended that supervisors attend the first half of orientation.

How to Apply

Please visit the How to Apply section of the Skilling Academy webpage for details on how to apply.

Contact Us

For questions and inquiries, please contact the Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy at SkillingAcademy@cisa.dhs.gov.