Education + Training + Research

Helping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals gain real-world experience.

CYBER DEFENSE CENTER SEAL - BLUE

Cyber Defense Center (CDC): A Texas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization chartered to conduct research, evaluations, analysis and defensive cyber operations for U.S. businesses’ critical infrastructure and institutions.

Introduction

Educating Tomorrow’s Cyber Workforce 

The United States is falling dangerously behind the rest of the world in all Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) areas, including cybersecurity. There are currently thousands of government and private job openings for cybersecurity professionals that go unfilled each year.

Cybersecurity scholarships that are offered by the NSA at major universities go unused due to a lack of qualified applicants.

Cyber Defense Center (CDC) has developed a more engaging way to teach these critical subjects and prepare students for college programs or cyber careers. This endeavor began in 2011 and, to date, has trained, mentored, and developed over 1,000 entry-level-ready cybersecurity practitioners.

CFC Interns

Real-World Challenges for Real-World Experience

Cyber Defense Center (CDC) operates out of our Dallas, TX corporate headquarters. The skilled staff maintains a constantly evolving knowledge base for these activities that is well beyond what can be taught in a traditional classroom setting.

CDC conducts project-centered cyber learning courses that train students to become cybersecurity professionals. Unlike other computer courses, this interdisciplinary curriculum is geared around solving current, real-world problems designed to challenge students and grow their practical cyber knowledge. This blended approach, led by seasoned, experienced cyber practitioners, develops educational “force multipliers” and students with hands-on experience, ready to enter the workforce as solid contributors. 

What We Offer

Cyber Defense Center trains the next generation of cyber warriors in this rapidly evolving field by developing and delivering STEM and cybersecurity curricula via Internships for current and returning college students, and Cyber Camps for K-12 students.

Internships

Required:

  • Have availability to spend a minimum of 20 hours per month in the Dallas, Texas office.
  • A desire to keep learning, extending your skills, and pushing the boundaries of your knowledge.
  • Basic understanding of information technology and cybersecurity.
  • Be willing to present to the group any findings from research projects and share research Information with others in the group.

Co-Op

  • Project-based internship focusing on your college objectives and requirements. Following the Core internship program training and research opportunities.

Highschool

  • Juniors and Seniors, 16yrs+ — Work on research, training, and focused projects to develop core skills for future career opportunities.

Mock SOC

Required:

  • Acceptance/enrollment in the Internship program.
  • A drive to explore and conquer the same monitoring tools used by professionals in the field.
  • Innate curiosity to learn the intricacies of responsibilities, policies, procedures, and expectations inherent in a genuine cybersecurity role.
  • A genuine interest in diverse disciplines like forensics, incident response planning/application, threat hunting, malware analysis, system administration, and system engineering.

Cyber Camps

Required:

  • A strong desire to work and learn.
  • A firm grasp of math and science.
  • A laptop computer and reliable transportation to and from the camp location (either on-campus or at HQ).

Support the Future of Cybersecurity

Cyber Defense Center’s efforts to address the fundamental gap in STEM education can’t happen without the support of our community.

Contact Us

469-431-2486
info@uscyberdefensecenter.org
13717 Neutron Road, Dallas, TX 75244

Monday-Friday: 8am – 5pm

Get Started

Please use the form below to inquire more info about program involvement, equipment and/or financial contributions, or any other questions or comments.