In 2024, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, the charitable foundation of ISC2, awarded more than 100 scholarships worth more than $282,000 to aspiring cybersecurity professionals. Since 2011, the Center has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to cybersecurity students and professionals carefully selected for their academic excellence, financial need and passion for the industry. All scholarship recipients are recognized at https://www.iamcybersafe.org/s/2024-scholarship-recipients.

The Center’s academic scholarship programs, which provide tuition assistance to women, undergraduate and graduate students, also enable recipients to connect with past scholarship recipients, as well as obtain the entry-level Certified in Cybersecurity certification for free through the ISC2 One Million Certified in Cybersecurity program.

The Center is looking for generous corporations and supporters interested in joining its 2025 scholarship program. Donors can support the program at https://iamcybersafe.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/15813.

Corporations like KnowBe4, Amentum, and new 2025 sponsor Nightwing realize the importance of a collaboration with the Center in cultivating the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

“Supporting scholarships for the next generation is important because it helps to cultivate a diverse and talented workforce that is prepared to take on the challenges of the future,” said Ani Banerjee, Chief Human Resources Officer of KnowBe4. “Within the rapidly evolving cybersecurity industry, it is essential to have young professionals who are ready to adapt to new threats and create innovative solutions. By investing in the education of the next generation, KnowBe4 is hoping to help create a stronger cybersecurity community of young professionals.”

“Receiving this scholarship means much more than financial support—it represents an incredible opportunity to pursue my goals without the burden of financial strain,” said Haseeb Qureshi of Pakistan. “It validates the hard work I've put in, motivates me to continue pushing forward, and gives me access to resources that will enhance my personal and professional development. This scholarship allows me to focus fully on my education, build my skills and make meaningful contributions to my community.”

The Center added a new scholarship in 2024, supporting two people to attend ISC2 Security Congress 2024, allowing them the opportunity to network in-person with professionals and learn from mentors in more than 100 educational sessions. In recognition of the thirtieth anniversary of the CISSP, 31 recipients were awarded Pathway to Certification scholarships which included the training, study materials, certification exam vouchers and the first AMF for those striving to obtain their ISC2 certification.

“These scholarships are providing additional support as the next generation of cybersecurity professionals begin their cybersecurity journey,” said Holly Schneider Brown, Center Senior Director. “It is inspiring that more than 6,000 individual donors across 127 countries and corporations have partnered with us and our mission to remove financial barriers to education and foster greater diversity within the cybersecurity field.”

“As a first-generation college student, receiving an ISC2 sponsored scholarship is a sign of affirmation: if I can dream it, I can do it,” said Kelly Huang, a student at the University of Southern California. “Studying cybersecurity at USC has been nothing short of a rewarding and empowering educational experience for me thanks to all of the friends, mentors, and professors who have helped shaped me into the person I am today. I am fascinated by the future of cybersecurity education, and I hope to be at the forefront of changing cybersecurity technologies. I hope to utilize this scholarship opportunity to help young students do the same.”

To learn more about how you can volunteer with the Center, make a charitable donation or encourage your corporation to become a scholarship sponsor, visit https://iamcybersafe.org/s.

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