Featured:

Mega menu – Featured Image Template

Address data illiteracy in your organization

Get my copy →

Featured:

3-2

Turn AI anxiety into action

Watch now →

Featured:

Christian Martinez 4.19-thumb-1

Explore new digital career pathways

Read more →

Featured:

2-Sep-04-2024-01-24-22-6638-PM

Take action on generative AI

Get my copy →

Featured:

1-Sep-04-2024-05-44-06-9704-PM

Hear what the experts have to say

Tune in →
DoD Cyber Competition Branding_ Logo-04 (1)

Your cybersecurity career with the DoD starts here

 
The Cyber Sentinel Skills Challenge is your chance to showcase your skills, win your share of $15,000 in cash prizes, and kickstart a career with the U.S. Department of Defense

Join our mailing and be the first to know about our next competition!

People are the department's most critical asset. We remain the preeminent fighting force in the world because of our personnel in and out of uniform. I have never had more confidence in our ability to meet the security challenges of today and tomorrow.
Lloyd J. Austin III 
Secretary of Defense
Landing page-02
Competition highlights

Discover the next steps in your career at the DoD

 

Job opportunities

Pursue career opportunities with U.S. DoD and play a critical role in defending our national security

$15,000 cash prize pool

and gain the chance to win your share of $3,000.Showcase your cybersecurity skills while competing for a chance to win
cash prizes

Skills-based hiring

Apply your technical skills to a unique set of challenges that represent real-world, on-the-job tasks

Event details

This competition is a unique way to help you uncover career pathways in the DoD

 
 
Testimonials

The stories of DoD civilian employees

 
 

DISA In Action

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is one of the many DoD functional communities hiring cyber talent

 

I am driven by and impressed by the great work performed at the Warfare Center and the contributions we make to support our military men and women.
Bernadette Wackerle
DON Naval Surface Warfare Center - Indian Head, MD
bernadette_wackerle
There is not a day where I don’t either learn something new or teach it.  There is a great spirit of camaraderie in this organization that helps us to achieve the organization’s goals, and everyone is willing to help you meet your portion of it
Johann Soto
DON Naval Air Systems Command - Orlando FL
Johann_Soto
There are so many opportunities available to young people and new Civilians… you only need to take advantage of them.”  “I know I made the right decision to work for NAVFAC and be part of the team….there is something new and challenging every day.
Ryan Lee
Naval Facilities Engineering Command - Washington D.C.
ryan_lee

DOD Civilian Careers Perks

Career perks

Where your professional passion meets purpose

 
Join the Department of Defense (DoD) and become part of a vast team of civilians dedicated to securing our nation's safety.
0

countries

0+

career tracks

0K+

civilian employees

  • Advance in your current field or pivot to a new career with the Department of Defense (DoD).
  • Work in a dynamic environment that supports purposeful missions.
  • Explore diverse roles in: Offices, Laboratories, Shipyards, Airfields, Medical facilities, and more
  • Join civilian personnel, the backbone of defense efforts.
  • Discover your professional fit at the DoD and take your career to new heights.
We prioritize growing our talent by providing pay raises for both military and Civilian personnel, and we seek to make investments in the workforce where the department has critical demands, like cyber. Our plan is to build an increasingly resilient force, one that recognizes and embraces its diversity as a strength.
Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks
Deputy Secretary of Defense
Landing page-01

Attractive pay and benefits

 

Benefits

  • Competitive Salaries
  • Retirement benefits
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Access to military exchanges
  • Mass transportation subsidy

Holidays

  • Up to 26 days of annual leave per year
  • 11 paid holidays
  • 13 days of sick leave per year
  • Paid parental leave

Insurance

  • Health, dental, vision and life insurance
  • Long term care insurance
  • Family and dependent care

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

The Mission: This DoD-sponsored competition is designed to identify individuals interested in pursuing a cybersecurity career with the DoD. Our mission is to find experienced and emerging cybersecurity job-seekers looking to advance their careers while safeguarding our nation’s critical, digital infrastructure.

The Challenge: Participants will be given a series of real-world challenges that represent the skillsets most in-demand by the DoD. These challenges are designed to measure your understanding of tasks and test your technical, analytical, and strategic abilities in the following skills categories: Forensics, Malware/ Reverse Engineering, Networking & Reconnaissance, Open-Source Intelligence Gathering (OSINT) and Web Security.

The Reward: Winners of the competition will not only get the unique opportunity to learn more about jobs with DoD, but also a share of the $15,000 cash prize pool.

Who Can Participate: Applicants must be US citizens (native or naturalized) and over the age of 18 to qualify. Individuals from all levels of cybersecurity experience, whether you are a seasoned cybersecurity professional or just starting in the field, with a genuine interest in a career at the DoD, are welcome to apply.

 

PRIZES

  • $5,000 – 1st place
  • $2,500 – 2nd place
  • $1,000 – 3rd place
  • $500 – 4th - 10th places
  • $300 – Ten raffle prizes, anyone who completes a challenge will be eligible to win
Point72
city
jj
target dark
matchgroup@2x
Best Buy
ally (1)
mediabrands
morgan stanley
Universal_Music_Group_logo.svg
 
OUR EMPLOYER PARTNERS MAKE THIS PROGRAM POSSIBLE THROUGH ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS, MENTORSHIP, AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.

 

The Stories Of DoD Civilian Employees

 

"I am driven by and impressed by the great work performed at the Warfare Center and the contributions we make to support our military men and women."

Bernadette Wackerle
DON Naval Surface Warfare Center - Indian Head, MD

"There is not a day where I don’t either learn something new or teach it.  There is a great spirit of camaraderie in this organization that helps us to achieve the organization’s goals, and everyone is willing to help you meet your portion of it"

Johann Soto
DON Naval Air Systems Command - Orlando FL

"There are so many opportunities available to young people and new Civilians… you only need to take advantage of them.”  “I know I made the right decision to work for NAVFAC and be part of the team….there is something new and challenging every day."

Ryan Lee
Naval Facilities Engineering Command - Washington D.C.

DISCOVER THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR CAREER AT THE DOD

 

Landing page-05

JOB OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT

Pursue career opportunities with US DoD and play a critical role in defending our national security

Landing page-04

$15,000 CASH PRIZE POOL

Showcase your cybersecurity skills while competing for a chance to win cash prizes

Landing page-03

SKILLS-BASED HIRING

Apply your technical skills to a unique set of challenges that represent real-world, on-the-job tasks

Application process

Check your simple next steps

01
Help us get to know you
The application takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and will help us understand your professional experience and career goals.
02
Prepare for the competition
After we review and accept your application, we will send you instructions to finalize your enrollment in the competition. A few days before the competition, we will share with you the credentials to register on the competition platform and the full set of instructions to successfully participate.

Key dates

May 4

Final application deadline

May 7

Pre-competition webinar & competition onboarding

May 10

Competition takes place

Discover your ideal DoD role

WHY APPLY TO DS4A / WOMEN?

Build Data and Leadership Skills

BUILD DATA AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS

DS4A Fellows learn by doing. The training includes real-world cases of data science applications in business. Cases are designed for practitioners who are experienced coders.

Women in Data Science. Data Science For All / Women. Create Impactful Projects

CREATE IMPACTFUL PROJECTS

Fellows collaborate on team projects that use data science to create social and business impact. Teams include a group of Fellows who have a complimentary mix of data analysis and business acumen.

Women in Data Science. Data Science For All / Women. DS4A / Women Professional Mentors

PROFESSIONAL MENTORS

Each DS4A Fellow is matched with a professional mentor from an employer partner organization -- someone with insight into how to grow professionally, to help you achieve your unique goals. Mentors advise Fellows on how to be effective in organizations and in their careers, and provide guidance on the Fellows’ capstone project presentations.

Women in Data Science. Data Science For All / Women. DS4A / Women Job Opportunities

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

The Data Science for All program is an unparalleled platform from which to launch or supercharge your career. In addition to skills training, you will receive career coaching and job opportunities from our program partners, which are some of the top employers in the world.

Women in Data Science. Data Science For All / Women.Be Part of the DS4A Community

BE PART OF THE DS4A COMMUNITY

Data Science for All is the largest, most diverse group of data and analytics professionals in the world.  It brings together people from every background and across all stages of their career.  DS4A graduates continue to be part of the inclusive and supportive community.

GET THE LATEST NEWS & UPDATES ABOUT DS4A

RESOURCES

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR OTHER PROGRAMS

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

 

U.S. citizens (native or naturalized) over the age of 18 with an interest in cybersecurity and considering a career at the DoD should apply. U.S. Citizens living abroad are eligible and encouraged to apply. U.S. Permanent Residents, U.S. Residents, and other visa holders that do not have U.S. citizenship are NOT eligible.

No specific career or education prerequisites are required, but a background or interest in cybersecurity is beneficial. Applicants must be US citizens (native or naturalized) and over the age of 18 to be eligible for the competition.

No, the competition is 100% FREE for everyone. There is no cost to apply or participate.

Fill out the online application form, which includes questions about your cybersecurity experience, skills, and background.

As soon as possible to ensure your spot, given we may need to limit participants due to high demand. Early applicants will also receive additional career development resources and support from Correlation One. The current application deadline can be found in the “Key Dates” section above. 

Applicants will receive a confirmation email after they complete their application. The week before the competition, we will send all qualified applicants the information to register for the competition.

The competition will have challenges in the following skills categories: Forensics, Malware/ Reverse Engineering, Networking & Reconnaissance, Open-Source Intelligence Gathering (OSINT) and Web Security. Each category will have challenges of easy, medium, and hard difficulty. 

A modern web browser and internet connection are required. If additional toolsets are required, they will be open-source and we will notify participants before the competition.

Prizes include $5,000 for 1st place, $2,500 for 2nd place, $1,000 for 3rd place, and $500 for 4th-10th places. There will also be ten $300 prizes raffled off to participants. Anyone who completes a challenge during the competition will have a chance to win the raffle. Prize winners will be asked to provide proof of their eligibility in order to receive their prize.

We will share an announcement once the next competition dates are finalized. If you applied to the May 2024 competition, we will reach out to you once the application is open. If you did not apply to the May 2024 competition, please click on the “apply now” button on this page and fill out the form so we can email you once the application is open.

Yes, students are eligible to participate in the competition. Working professionals and unemployed individuals are eligible as well. The only eligibility requirements are that applicants must be US citizens (native or naturalized) and over the age of 18.

The competition will be a Capture the Flag (CTF) format, with challenges across various cybersecurity categories.

Yes, not participating in competition does not preclude you from applying for jobs at the DoD. We recommend that you still fill out the application form so Correlation One can assist you in your job application process.

 

Have more questions? Reach out to Correlation One and our team will be in touch.

 

Have more questions? Reach out to Correlation One and our team will be in touch.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should apply?

U.S. citizens (native or naturalized) over the age of 18 with an interest in cybersecurity and considering a career at the DoD should apply. U.S. Citizens living abroad are eligible and encouraged to apply. U.S. Permanent Residents, U.S. Residents, and other visa holders that do not have U.S. citizenship are NOT eligible.

 

Are there any prerequisites to apply?

No specific career or education prerequisites are required, but a background or interest in cybersecurity is beneficial. Applicants must be US citizens (native or naturalized) and over the age of 18 to be eligible for the competition.

 

Is there a cost to participate?

No, the competition is 100% FREE for everyone. There is no cost to apply or participate.

 

What is the application process?

Fill out the online application form, which includes questions about your cybersecurity experience, skills, and background.

 

When should I apply?

As soon as possible to ensure your spot, given we may need to limit participants due to high demand. Early applicants will also receive additional career development resources and support from Correlation One. The current application deadline can be found in the “Key Dates” section above. 

 

How will I know if I have successfully applied and registered?

Applicants will receive a confirmation email after they complete their application. The week before the competition, we will send all qualified applicants the information to register for the competition.

 

What skills are tested in the competition?

The competition will have challenges in the following skills categories: Forensics, Malware/ Reverse Engineering, Networking & Reconnaissance, Open-Source Intelligence Gathering (OSINT) and Web Security. Each category will have challenges of easy, medium, and hard difficulty. 

 

What software or hardware do I need to participate?

A modern web browser and internet connection are required. If additional toolsets are required, they will be open-source and we will notify participants before the competition.

 

What are the rewards for winning the competition?

Prizes include $5,000 for 1st place, $2,500 for 2nd place, $1,000 for 3rd place, and $500 for 4th-10th places. There will also be ten $300 prizes raffled off to participants. Anyone who completes a challenge during the competition will have a chance to win the raffle. Prize winners will be asked to provide proof of their eligibility in order to receive their prize.

 

When and where will the competition take place?

We will share an announcement once the next competition dates are finalized. If you applied to the May 2024 competition, we will reach out to you once the application is open. If you did not apply to the May 2024 competition, please click on the “apply now” button on this page and fill out the form so we can email you once the application is open.

 

Can students participate in the competition?

Yes, students are eligible to participate in the competition. Working professionals and unemployed individuals are eligible as well. The only eligibility requirements are that applicants must be US citizens (native or naturalized) and over the age of 18.

 

What’s the competition format?

The competition will be a Capture the Flag (CTF) format, with challenges across various cybersecurity categories.

 

If I do not participate in the competition, can I still apply for a job at the DoD?

Yes, not participating in competition does not preclude you from applying for jobs at the DoD. We recommend that you still fill out the application form so Correlation One can assist you in your job application process.

Have more questions?

Try out our chatbot!