Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy Micro-Courses

Related topics:

Cybersecurity Best Practices

Abstract cyber image featuring a lock icon and shield surrounded by laurels with other cybersecurity icons in the background

The Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy (Skilling Academy) is now offering micro-courses! Skilling Academy micro-courses are the shorter of the two Skilling Academy training offerings, with course options of 40 or 80 hours in length. These condensed, asynchronous, fully virtualtraining offerings are designed to equip federal employees with foundational and specialized cybersecurity skills. Participants benefit from an opportunity to step away from their job to participate virtually Monday through Friday, during core business hours, excluding federal holidays.

All coursework is mapped to the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework) and provides federal employees with valuable hands-on experience to practice new skills in lab environments.

Please note, Skilling Academy micro-course offerings do not include any third-party certification vouchers for participants to sit for a certification exam.

Who Can Apply?

All full-time federal employees in the U.S. Government, in any job series and any grade or grade equivalent for non-General Schedule (GS) employees are eligible to apply to the Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy micro-courses. Government contractors are not permitted to participate.

Participation in the Skilling Academy is prioritized for Departments and Agencies within the Federal Civilian Executive Branch. Applications from other federal government entities are welcome and will be considered based on course availability and program requirements.

Micro-Course Schedule

Micro-Course Title & Session Number	Length	Course Start & End Date	Application Close Date
IT Fundamentals – Session 1	2 weeks	1/27/2025 – 2/7/2025	1/10/2025
IT Fundamentals – Session 2	2 weeks	3/24/2025 – 4/4/2025	3/7/2025
IT Fundamentals – Session 3	2 weeks	6/2/2025 – 6/13/2025	5/16/2025
Intro to Forensic Analysis – Session 1	2 weeks	1/27/2025 – 2/7/2025	1/10/2025
Intro to Forensic Analysis - Session 2	2 weeks	4/21/2025 – 5/2/2025	4/4/2025
Intro to Forensic Analysis – Session 3	2 weeks	7/14/2025 – 7/25/2025	6/27/2025
Basics of Threat Analysis – Session 1	2 weeks	2/3/2025 – 2/14/2025	1/17/2025
Basics of Threat Analysis – Session 2	2 weeks	5/5/2025 – 5/16/2025	4/18/2025
Basics of Threat Analysis – Session 3	2 weeks	7/28/2025 – 8/8/2025	7/11/2025
Intro to Incident Response – Session 1	1 week	12/16/2024 - 12/20/24	12/10/2024
Intro to Incident Response – Session 2	1 week	3/3/2025 – 3/7/2025	2/14/2025
Intro to Incident Response – Session 3	1 week	5/19/2025 – 5/23/2025	5/2/2025
Intro to Incident Detect/Response/Handling – Session 1	2 weeks	3/10/2025 – 3/21/2025	2/21/2025
Intro to Incident Detect/Response/Handling – Session 2	2 weeks	6/2/2025 – 6/13/2025	5/16/2025
Intro to Incident Detect/Response/Handling – Session 3	2 weeks	8/18/2025 – 8/29/2025	8/1/2025
Intro to Pen-Testing – Session 1	1 week	12/16/2024 - 12/20/24	12/10/2024
Intro to Pen-Testing – Session 2	1 week	3/24/2025 – 3/28/2025	3/7/2025
Intro to Pen-Testing – Session 3	1 week	6/23/2025 – 6/27/2025	6/6/2025

Class Schedule

Skilling Academy micro-courses vary in duration, with options of 40 or 80 hours in length, depending on the course. During all course offerings, students are required to participate virtually Monday through Friday, during core business hours, excluding federal holidays. A student will be marked as incomplete and will not graduate if they do not complete 100% of all required coursework by the course end date. If the session includes breaks, students will return to their regular duty assignment during those breaks, unless the home agency has approved leave.

While the micro-courses are self-paced, a course syllabus with important milestones will be provided to students prior to the first day of class to help with pacing and to ensure students are on track to finish the micro-courses in the respective 40- or 80-hour time period.

Micro-Course Details and Curriculum

This Skilling Academy’s FY25 Course Catalog includes detailed descriptions of all available courses, course dates, and eligibility requirements.

IT Fundamentals

The IT Fundamentals Micro-Course is an 80-hour, ten-day self-paced course that provides comprehensive knowledge in core IT and cybersecurity concepts. Students learn essential skills in operating systems, secure coding, Linux administration, network security, privacy compliance, and Python programming.

Introduction to Forensics Analysis

The Introduction to Forensic Analysis Micro-Course is an 80-hour, ten-day self-paced course that provides comprehensive training in digital forensics, evidence handling, and security analysis. This extensive course equips students with advanced skills in digital forensic investigations, security assessment, and incident analysis.

Basics of Threat Analysis

The Basics of Threat Analysis Micro-Course is an intensive 80-hour, ten-day self-paced course that provides comprehensive knowledge in threat identification, analysis, and mitigation strategies. The program expands on foundational cybersecurity concepts and delivers in-depth coverage of threat modeling, vulnerability management, incident response, and advanced analysis techniques.

Introduction to Incident Response

The Introduction to Incident Response Micro-Course is a 40-hour, five-day self-paced course that provides entry-level training in incident response, detection, and handling. This foundational course equips students with essential cybersecurity knowledge and practical skills needed to identify, respond to, and manage security incidents in modern IT environments.

Introduction to Incident Detection, Response, and Handling

The Introduction to Incident Detection, Response, and Handling Micro-Course is an 80-hour, ten-day self-paced course that provides comprehensive instruction in identifying, analyzing, and responding to security incidents in enterprise environments. The program builds from foundational security concepts through advanced incident handling techniques.

Introduction to Pen-Testing

The Introduction to Pen-Testing Micro-Course is a 40-hour, five-day self-paced course that provides foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in ethical hacking. Participants learn key concepts like vulnerability management, network and web security, and advanced pen-testing techniques.

How To Apply

Apply for the Skilling Academy in two simple steps:

Complete the Supervisor and Applicant Approval Form - The form must be electronically signed using a digital certificate (i.e., PIV or CAC).
Submit the completed Supervisor and Applicant Approval Form – submit your form using your federal government email address to SkillingAcademy@mail.cisa.dhs.gov.

Please review the FAQs before applying.

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

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@mail.cisa.dhs.gov. Emails are typically responded to within three business days.

Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy Micro-Courses

Micro-Course Title & Session Number

Length

Course Start & End Date

Application Close Date

Micro-Course Details and Curriculum

How To Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Tags