Building the
Cyber Workforce
America Depends On.
Turning students, faculty, and institutions into America's operational edge — through programs that grow, fund, and deliver cyber talent.
Start with what matters to you.
Student or Job Seeker
Scholarships, internships, and direct hiring pathways into DoW cyber roles.
Academic Institution
CAE designation, grants, faculty development, and research partnerships.
DoW Commander or HR Leader
Mission-ready talent pipelines, upskilling programs, and workforce analytics.
Policymaker or Researcher
Program effectiveness data, workforce forecasts, and ROI metrics.
Four pillars. One mission.
Build & Sustain the Academic Cyber Ecosystem
From K–12 pipeline programs to CAE designation and faculty development, CAEO strengthens the academic institutions that produce the cyber professionals America depends on.
Fund & Enable Talent Development
Scholarships, grants, and research funding bridge motivated students and capable institutions with Department of War priorities, turning academic potential into national security capability.
Deliver Talent to the Workforce
Internships, cyber ranges, experiential competitions, and direct hiring pathways bridge the gap between academic preparation and DoW employment, ensuring a continuous supply of mission-ready cyber professionals.
Inform Cyber Workforce Strategy & Policy
Data-driven forecasting, 8140 alignment tools, and comprehensive reporting help commanders and policymakers understand the state of the cyber workforce and make smarter investment decisions.
Where impact happens.
DoW Cyber Service Academy
Scholarship-for-Service — full funding for cyber study, with DoW employment upon graduation.
NCAE-C
The national standard for cybersecurity education — designating 490+ colleges and universities.
UC2
Aligning university research and innovation with DoW cybersecurity priorities.
VICEROY
Connecting students and institutions to DoW research, internships (MAVEN/ENVOY), and careers.
Senior Military Colleges
Six senior military colleges developing cyber leaders through the CLDP and DoW internships.
NDU College of Information & Cyberspace
Graduate-level JPME in information and cyberspace for senior military and civilian leaders.
One pipeline. Every entry point.
Cyber adversaries do not pause for a hiring cycle. Neither do we.
Who We Are
We serve as the central bridge between the Department of War (DoW) and the academic community. Our mission is to inspire, cultivate, and recruit the next generation of cyber talent. By fostering a robust ecosystem of educational and federal partners, we ensure our nation is defended by a world-class, mission-ready workforce.
What We Do
We act as an integrator and translator, ensuring that academic innovation directly addresses the complex, real-world challenges of national security. By aligning educational programs with the DoW's most critical needs, we create clear pathways from the classroom to public service. We also serve as the focal point for collaborative research that directly impacts and influences the future of the cyber workforce.
Our Network & Impact
The CAEO is the connective tissue for over 500 academic institutions, federal partners, and DoW components. From early-education outreach programs to prestigious higher education partnerships—like the National Centers of Academic Excellence (NCAE) and the Cyber Service Academy (CSA)—we provide the resources to turn talent into action. We invite you to explore our programs and join us in building the cyber workforce of the future.