Diversity Cyber Council
The nonprofit Diversity Cyber Council focuses on serving underrepresented groups within the tech industry. The organization’s mission revolves around facilitating training, education, and staffing opportunities to create a sustainable and inclusive talent pool for the cybersecurity workforce.
The council aims to foster inclusion and representation within the tech industry through training, mentoring, networking, and visibility programs. The organization’s mission is to educate, train, and provide staffing opportunities for residents of underserved communities so they can enter the cybersecurity and technology workforce.
The organization offers programs to prepare individuals for cybersecurity careers. These programs include:
- The Cybersecurity Pre-Apprenticeship is a nine-week program that combines self-study with training led by an instructor. As part of the program, candidates receive content and materials to help them grasp the fundamentals of cybersecurity and prepare for the CompTIA Security+ certification. This program aims to equip aspiring cybersecurity professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the industry.
- The Cybersecurity Workforce Development Apprenticeship Program provides diverse candidates with both classroom and on-the-job training, preparing them for careers in cybersecurity.
- The Cybersecurity High School Summer Youth Apprenticeship Program is an eight-week program that combines classroom learning with practical training, equipping high school students with entry-level technology skills for their future careers.
- The CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ 30-Day Challenge is a self-study program designed to help candidates learn the fundamentals of information technology and prepare for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certification.
Programs are free or offered at a low cost. The Diversity Cyber Council accepts donations from individuals and organizations.
International Organization of Black Security Executives
The International Organization of Black Security Executives (IOBSE) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1982 by six black men attending the American Society for Industrial Security conference in New Orleans.
IOBSE’s mission is to develop future industry leaders among minority security professionals by providing networking opportunities, professional resources, and educational programs. IOBSE offers professional and student memberships, hosts an annual conference, and fosters growth, mentorship, and collaboration within the security field.
The organization aims to integrate security management into business operations by offering professional resources, providing education and training to practitioners and students, and encouraging professional networking. Through these efforts, IOBSE promotes the exchange of ideas, knowledge, information, and experience in security operations and technology.
Members have the opportunity to develop mentorships and sponsorship relationships with professional security experts as well as network with public and private security leaders. Members also receive information to enable them to stay up to date with the latest trends in security.
Membership fee: Professionals, $100; students, $25.
Secure Diversity
Secure Diversity was founded in 2015 by Deirdre Diamond, who is also the founder and CEO of CyberSN, a company that specializes in cybersecurity staffing and career development. She is also a Cyversity board member.
Secure Diversity is an organization dedicated to promoting gender diversity, equity, and inclusion within the cybersecurity field. The group’s goal centers around ensuring equitable representation of all genders in the cybersecurity workforce.
To accomplish this, Secure Diversity collaborates with various organizations and businesses to boost recruitment and retention efforts for women and underrepresented genders. Secure Diversity also uses social media platforms and marketing to raise awareness about the role of women in cybersecurity.
One of the organization’s major initiatives is the Leadership Academy, developed in partnership with the SANS Institute, that aims increase gender diversity in cybersecurity leadership. The Leadership Academy is free.
And Secure Diversity and the Lookout Foundation present Day of Shecurity events, a conference series advocating for gender diversity in cybersecurity.
Secure Diversity accepts donations and offers sponsorship packages.
Joining member organizations that promote diversity in cybersecurity will offer you the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, mentors, and role models. By being part of these organizations, you’ll be able to contribute to advocacy efforts for underrepresented groups and advocate for equal opportunities.
In addition, promoting diversity strengthens the cybersecurity workforce and shapes a more inclusive future for the field.
