COOKEVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in cybersecurity, in partnership with ISC2, the world’s leading nonprofit member organization for cybersecurity professionals, today announced the launch of the WiCyS + ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity Certification Fall Camp. This initiative is designed to remove barriers to entry and create new pathways into the cybersecurity profession. Applications open September 8, 2025.
The need for programs like the Fall Camp is more urgent than ever. Industry research shows a global cybersecurity workforce gap of more than 4 million professionals, leaving organizations worldwide struggling to fill critical roles. By equipping aspiring professionals with entry-level certifications and community-driven support, WiCyS and ISC2 are addressing this shortage while broadening access to underrepresented groups.
“The cybersecurity profession is strongest when it draws on diverse experiences, skills and perspectives to spark fresh ideas and solutions that keep our communities secure,” said Dwan Jones, CC, Director of Inclusive Strategies and Engagement at ISC2. “Women still only make up around a quarter of the global cybersecurity workforce, and around 26% of cybersecurity professionals under 30, which is a clear sign there’s more work to do. The Fall Camp program creates pathways for aspiring professionals to prove their skills, connect with our global community, and see themselves reflected in our profession. By fostering inclusion and broadening access to opportunity, underpinned by certified technical attainment, we strengthen the profession’s resilience and ability to meet future challenges.”
The Fall Camp enables participants to pursue ISC2’s entry-level Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) certification, with no prerequisites, work experience or formal education required. This makes the program accessible to IT professionals, career changers, college students and recent high school graduates. Priority is given to entry-level applicants who are ready to commit the time and effort needed to earn their certification.
Participants will benefit from more than just coursework. The Fall Camp enhances the certification journey by layering in community, mentorship and accountability through the WiCyS network. Each participant receives a free exam voucher for one attempt and access to ISC2’s 14-hour online self-paced training. They also benefit from a supportive WiCyS cohort, guidance from both a WiCyS mentor and an ISC2 technical mentor, and open office hours for curriculum support. Throughout the program, participants gain hands-on experience across five essential cybersecurity domains: security principles; business continuity, disaster recovery, and incident response concepts; access control concepts; network security; and security operations.
“The Spring 2024 WiCyS + ISC2 Cohort was instrumental in my CC exam journey,” stated Anushree Vaidya, Cybersecurity Analyst. “It provided a collaborative learning environment where I could discuss doubts, seek help with challenging questions, and explore various concepts in depth. The cohort structure fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual support among participants, which was invaluable during the preparation process. This shared experience not only enhanced my understanding of the exam material but also helped me build lasting connections with fellow cybersecurity enthusiasts. The cohort’s diverse perspectives and collective knowledge significantly enriched my learning experience, making the journey towards certification both more manageable and more rewarding.”
The Fall Camp will run from October 14 to November 14, 2025. The top three WiCyS members—evaluated based on exam scores, experience, and application essays—will receive a scholarship to attend the WiCyS 2026 Annual Conference.
Applications for the WiCyS + ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity Certification Fall Camp are open until September 22, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.wicys.org/benefits/isc2-certified-in-cybersecurity-certification/.
About ISC2
ISC2 is the world’s leading member organization for cybersecurity professionals, driven by our vision of a safe and secure cyber world. Our more than 265,000 certified members and associates are a force for good, safeguarding the way we live. Our award-winning certifications – including cybersecurity’s premier certification, the CISSP® – enable professionals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities at every stage of their careers. ISC2 strengthens the influence, diversity, and vitality of the cybersecurity profession through advocacy, expertise, and workforce empowerment that accelerates cyber safety and security in an interconnected world. Our charitable foundation, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, helps create more access to cyber careers and educates those most vulnerable. Learn more, get involved, or become an ISC2 Candidate to build your cyber career at ISC2.org. Connect with us on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
© 2025 ISC2 Inc., ISC2, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, CGRC, CSSLP, HCISPP, ISSAP, ISSEP, ISSMP, CC, and CBK are registered marks of ISC2, Inc.
About Women in CyberSecurity
Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) is a nonprofit organization with international reach dedicated to the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in cybersecurity. Founded by Dr. Ambareen Siraj through a National Science Foundation grant given to Tennessee Tech University in 2013, WiCyS offers opportunities, trainings, events and resources for its community and members. Strategic partners include Tier 1: 3M, Akamai Technologies, Amazon, Bloomberg, Cisco, Ford Motor Company, Google, Lockheed Martin, Optum, Palo Alto Networks, SANS Institute, SentinelOne. Tier 2: Accenture, Adobe, Microsoft, Navy Federal Credit Union, PayPal, PSEG Services Corporation, Tenable, The MITRE Corporation, Workday. To partner, visit http://www.wicys.org/support/strategic-partnerships/.
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SOURCE Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS)
