{"id":175016,"date":"2026-01-06T11:24:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T16:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/06\/fiu-trains-veterans-and-first-responders-in-critical-cyber-defense-fiu-news\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T13:40:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T18:40:09","slug":"fiu-trains-veterans-and-first-responders-in-critical-cyber-defense-fiu-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/06\/fiu-trains-veterans-and-first-responders-in-critical-cyber-defense-fiu-news\/","title":{"rendered":"FIU trains veterans and first responders in critical cyber defense | FIU News"},"content":{"rendered":"

FIU trains veterans and first responders in critical cyber defense | FIU News<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2025\/from-service-to-cybersecurity-how-fius-veterans-and-first-responders-training-initiative-is-shaping-tomorrows-cyber-defenders<\/a><\/p>\n

Publish Date: 2026-01-06 11:24:00<\/a><\/p>\n

Source Domain: news.fiu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Author: <\/a><\/p>\n

Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points. For many, service to the nation doesn\u2019t end when the uniform comes off. It simply transforms. With help from FIU, an increasing number of\u00a0veterans, first responders and their family members are stepping into a new mission: defending America\u2019s digital frontiers armed with cybersecurity knowledge.FIU’s\u00a0Veterans and First Responders Training Initiative is \u00a0part of the national CyberSkills2Work\u2122 Program. Hosted under the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy (JGI), this initiative is designed to educate and upskill former military service members, first responders (such as EMTs, police and fire professionals) and their spouses and dependents so they can go on to build careers in cybersecurity, one of the fastest-growing fields tied directly to our nation\u2019s security.\u201cVeterans and first responders have spent their lives safeguarding others,\u201d says Dr. Brian Fonseca, director of JGI and a former Marine. \u201cThis unique program gives them the tools to continue that mission in cybersecurity, one of the most critical domains shaping America\u2019s security.\u201dAccording to data from CyberSeek, Florida ranks fifth nationally in cybersecurity job postings. Additionally, the number of cybersecurity jobs in Florida is expected to increase by 32% between 2019 and 2029, a rate higher than the projected growth for all occupations statewide.Real People. Real Impact.For participants like Kimberly Wilker, an emergency management coordinator, the experience has been transformative.\u201cThe training presented an array of information, including various hands-on learning experiences,\u201d said Wilker, who participated in July 2025. \u201cThe support we received from the staff was excellent. In fact, my experiences at FIU have been among the best of my academic career.\u201dInspired by her training, Wilker now feels confident about becoming a strong candidate for future opportunities.Funded by the National Security Agency National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Program and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the CyberSkills2Work\u2122 Program has trained 3,500 professionals nationwide.\u00a0Bob Martin, a federal contractor and service desk analyst for the Federal Aviation Administration also had a positive experience with FIU’s program. Since January 2025, he has taken courses suc as Foundations of Cybersecurity, Foundations of Networkingmand Foundations of Digital Forensics.\u201cWhat I enjoyed most about is that it\u2019s structured with real university rigor. Professors demand top performance and provided us with achievable deadlines,\u201d said Martin. \u201cOur teachers and program coordinators were always accessible. This is a great step to take to decide if you want to be an IT professional.\u201dWhy it mattersThe Veterans and First Responders Training Initiative is more than just a training course. It\u2019s a career springboard.\u201cAs cyber threats grow, so does the need for skilled defenders,\u201d says Mike Asencio, director of the Cyber Policy Program at JGI. \u201cLed by a veteran, our JGI team is committed to offering this training so those who have served can continue their legacy by securing our digital future.\u201dAs cybersecurity becomes one of the defining challenges of our time, critical infrastructure, healthcare systems, financial institutions and even everyday communications are at risk. Who better to safeguard our nation\u2019s digital future than those who have already answered the call to serve? ask those at FIU charged with educating cyber warriors. Veterans and first responders bring unmatched discipline, resilience and problem-solving skills to complex cybersecurity challenges, they say.Through programs like VTI, FIU is ensuring that veterans and first responders don\u2019t just transition into civilian life, they thrive in careers that matter.”Teaching these courses was more than just an academic experience; it was an honor and privilege to support veterans and first responders who have always protected our communities,\u201d said Yacoub Hanna, who has taught more than 345 participants from 2024-2025. \u201cNow, with training in cybersecurity, digital forensics, and networking, they are prepared to defend the digital world.\u201dParticipants can choose from three short-term, intensive training pathways that provide foundational cybersecurity knowledge, career development support, and direct access to employers through the National Employers Cybersecurity Network. Courses are taken online by participants at their own pace, and taught by FIU faculty, with digital badges and certificates marking key milestones.Eligible participants can sign up at no cost.Another veteran who was able to benefit from the program was Shameria Jones, a recently retired Army Master Sergeant with little knowledge of IT systems and cyber. She credits the program with helping her define what she wanted to do next in her career.\u201cAttending the classes offered by FIU helped me shift from HR to cybersecurity,\u201d said Jones, who recommends the program to anyone in the military looking to enhance their skillset. \u201cI especially value the hands-on training that was provided to us.\u201dWilker, Martin and Jones represent what the VTI program is all about: creating pathways for those who\u2019ve already served in uniform or on the frontlines to transition into a new kind of service.The Road AheadFor many, the VTI program is more than training\u2014it\u2019s a bridge. A bridge from service to civilian careers, from uncertainty to opportunity, and from frontline response to frontline defense in cyberspace.As Wilker put it: \u201cI am grateful for the opportunity, and I have confidence that as I progress in my learning this will all come together. I will be a strong candidate and future employee.\u201dHer words capture the heart of the initiative: empowering those who\u2019ve already served our country to continue making an impact, now in one of the most critical domains of the 21st century.
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