Center for Cyber Safety and Education Awards 101 Cybersecurity Scholarships Worth a Total of $282,000

Scholarship program provides financial support to aspiring cybersecurity professionals, building a diverse pipeline to address cybersecurity challenges of today and tomorrow

Alexandria, Va., November 19, 2024 – The Center for Cyber Safety and Education, the charitable arm of ISC2 - the world’s leading nonprofit member organization for cybersecurity professionals -announced the award recipients of its 2024 scholarship program. A record-breaking 101 scholarships worth more than $282,000 were awarded to cybersecurity students and professionals. Recipients were carefully selected for their academic excellence, financial need and passion for the industry. The program improves access to the cybersecurity profession by removing financial barriers to education and fosters greater diversity within the field.

Established in 2011, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education is one of the world’s leading providers of cybersecurity scholarships, having awarded scholarships valued at over $2.5 million to more than 900 students and emerging professionals over the past 13 years. This year, students received the ISC2 Undergraduate, Graduate, and Women’s Scholarships - funded in part by more than 6,000 donors representing 127 countries - as well as the KnowBe4 Women’s Scholarship and the newly introduced Samantha Jennings-Jones Memorial Scholarship.

In honor of the 30th anniversary of the CISSP, the Center introduced 31 new Pathway to Certification scholarships this year, with support from Amentum, KnowBe4, and many donors. These scholarships cover training, study materials, certification exam vouchers, and the first Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF), supporting recipients as they pursue their next ISC2 certification.

"It is encouraging to see that corporations and people from all over the world believe in the mission of the Center for Cyber Safety and Education and support these students and emerging professionals as they begin and advance in their cybersecurity career path,” said Holly Schneider Brown, Center Senior Director. “These scholarships help provide financial assistance to people from all backgrounds as we aim to diversify the future talent pipeline.”

The scholarship program also enables 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.

“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.”

“KnowBe4 appreciates the opportunity to invest in the next generation of cybersecurity professionals by providing support to students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity,” Ani Banerjee, our Chief Human Resources Officer of KnowBe4. “Additionally, staying connected with the scholarship recipients allows KnowBe4 to cultivate a relationship and provide networking opportunities to help them in their professional careers.”

To view this year’s scholarship recipients or for more information on partnering with the Center and ISC2 on scholarship opportunities, please visit https://www.iamcybersafe.org/s/scholarships .

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About The Center for Cyber Safety and Education

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established by ISC2 in 2011. With a focus on inspiring a safe and secure cyber world, the Center empowers the general public, across all backgrounds and demographics, to secure their online lives through cybersecurity education and cyber safety awareness programs. As one of the world’s leading providers of cybersecurity scholarships, awarding more than $2 million to students, the Center is committed to breaking down barriers to entering the cybersecurity field. Its mission is to build a diverse workforce and enable a cyber-safe future, with the help of its volunteers across more than 50 countries. Visit www.iamcybersafe.org.

About ISC2
ISC2 is the world’s leading member organization for cybersecurity professionals, driven by our vision of a safe and secure cyber world. Our nearly 675,000 members, candidates and associates around the globe are a force for good, safeguarding the way we live. Our award-winning certifications – including cybersecurity’s premier certification, the CISSP® – enable professionals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities at every stage of their careers. ISC2 strengthens the influence, diversity and vitality of the cybersecurity profession through advocacy, expertise and workforce empowerment that accelerates cyber safety and security in an interconnected world. Our charitable foundation, The Center for Cyber Safety and Education, helps create more access to cyber careers and educate those most vulnerable. Learn more and get involved at ISC2.org. Connect with us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Amanda Steinman
Senior Corporate Communications Manager
ISC2
asteinman@isc2.org