Empowering the Future
WiCyS AI Security Accelerator Program

The WiCyS AI Security Accelerator Program bridges the gap between traditional cybersecurity and the frontier of artificial intelligence. Funded by EARN Maryland (Maryland Department of Labor), this strategic initaitive offeres 20 Maryland-based WiCyS members the specialized sills needed to secure the future of AI.

Bridging the AI Skills Gap

This hands-on program equips mid-career professionals with the specialized skills needed to identify, mitigate, and prevent AI-related security risks. Participants will gain:

• Hands-on Training: Master AI tools to enhance security operations and counter adversarial attacks.
• Regulatory Mastery: Ensure compliance with the newest evolving regulations in AI security.
• Career Advising Opportunities: Meet with career counselors to sharpen your employment skills and materials.
• Technical Mentors: Provide guidance as you progress through the coursework.
• Industry Certification: Gain prestigious credentials with the opportunity to earn GIAC or GMLE (GIAC Machine Learning Engineer) certifications.
• Professional Networking: Attend the WiCyS 2026 Conference, taking place from March 11–13 in National Harbor, MD, to connect with industry leaders.

Who Should Apply?

This program is tailored for 20 mid-career cybersecurity professionals (3–10 years of experience) living or working in Maryland. Applicants must be:

• Unemployed (refers to an individual without a job and who is available to work)
• Underemployed (refers to an individual who is either working part-time but desires full-time employment, who works full-time but earns wages at or minimally above minimum wage, or who is working in employment not commensurate with the individual’s demonstrated level of education and/or skill achievement)
• Incumbent worker (refers to an individual already employed in the target industry)

Cohort Timeline

• January 8–21: Application period (applications close at 5 pm CT)
• January 15: Launch webinar
• January 23: Decision emails sent out
• January 31: Commitment form deadline (commitment to program and conference)
• February 9: Cohort kick-off webinar
• February 17: Skillrex pre-assessment
• February 24–March 1: SEC411 – Security Principles and Practices and Pre Assessment
• March 2–4: Subject matter expert lectures on trending AI topics
• March 4–14: SEC 495 – Leveraging Large Language Models & Attend WiCyS annual conference
• March 16–April 20: SEC 535 (Offensive AI) or SEC 545 (Gen AI) + any applicable GIAC
• April 27–July 23: Complete SEC 598 (AI and Security Automation) or SEC 595 (Applied Data Science and AI/Machine Learning), followed by the corresponding GIAC Certification (GIAC or GMLE)
• July 23–Ongoing: Monitoring of workforce development/career advancement
• July 24: Skillrex post assessment