Empowering the Future
WiCyS AI Security Accelerator Program

The WiCyS AI Security Accelerator Program is a strategic initiative designed to bridge the critical gap between traditional cybersecurity and the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence. This is a grant-funded program only open to 20 WiCyS members living and/or working in Maryland. As the industry faces a shortage of nearly 500,000 professionals, we are empowering women to step into high-demand roles and fortify our nation’s digital infrastructure against sophisticated, AI-powered threats.

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
• January 15: Launch webinar
• January 23: Decision emails sent out
• January 31: Commitment form deadline (commitment to program and conference)
• February TBD: 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