Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy FAQs

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Please read through all the information provided below in the FAQs before applying to the Skilling Academy. To request additional information not found on the website, please email SkillingAcademy@cisa.dhs.gov.

Application Questions

Will there be additional sessions starting in this fiscal year? 

Please continue to check the Skilling Academy website for any future session updates or changes.

What type of resume should be submitted? 

Please submit a federal resume. Do NOT include Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (SPII) such as Social Security number, date of birth, or photos. Please do not exceed five (5) pages. For additional assistance, visit USAJOBS Help Center | What should I include in my federal resume?

When will I hear about my application status? 

Applicants typically receive an email of acceptance or denial no later than one week following the closure of the application period. The Skilling Academy may contact some applicants with additional questions in advance of the acceptance or denial notifications. 

How soon after I send an email to the Skilling Academy will I get a response? 

The Skilling Academy will generally respond to all emails within three business days. 

Will my supervisor’s permission be required to join the Skilling Academy? 

Yes, students require the appropriate supervisor’s approval to apply and attend the Skilling Academy. Both the student and the supervisor must sign the Supervisor and Applicant Agreement and Approval Form. Please ensure the appropriate supervisor signs the form with their digital certificate (i.e., PIV or CAC).

Do I need to submit an SF-182 to apply to the Skilling Academy? 

The Skilling Academy does not require an SF-182 to apply; however, your home agency may require an SF-182 be completed in order to receive approval to attend the program. Please check with your supervisor to see if this is a requirement prior to attending the Skilling Academy. 

When are new course offerings and their dates made available for application?

New courses and their respective dates are typically established at the beginning of a new fiscal year. Please continue to check the Skilling Academy website for the most up-to-date information on upcoming course dates. 

How many courses can I apply for?  

Students may apply to as many courses as they wish; however, they must complete a separate application for each course. Please note that each course has its own unique application period and deadline.

All Skilling Academy courses are full-time, three-month programs. If an applicant is accepted into a course, any other applications they may have submitted for future courses with overlap and/or schedule conflicts will be declined. 

How many courses can I attend? 

All Skilling Academy courses are full-time, three-month programs. Students may not participate in more than one session at a time.

Students are allowed to attend more than one Skilling Academy course within a fiscal year, provided they receive approval from their supervisors. 

Who is eligible to apply for the Skilling Academy? 

All full-time federal employees in any job series and any grade or grade equivalent for non-General Schedule (GS) employees are eligible to apply to the Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy. Government contractors are not permitted to participate. 

What happens to a federal employee’s eligibility to participate in the Skilling Academy if they resign or are terminated from their federal government position?

In the event that a federal employee either resigns or is terminated from their federal government position, they will be disqualified from participating in the Skilling Academy and any pending applications will be invalid. This includes federal government positions that are set to conclude prior to the scheduled end date of the Skilling Academy course. 

Each course has a limited capacity. Therefore, participants must ensure that they are full-time federal government employees and maintain this status throughout the entirety of the course. 

Resource and Materials Needed for the Skilling Academy

Do I need a laptop or desktop? 

Yes, a laptop or desktop with an up-to-date browser and Windows 10 or newer is required for participation in the Skilling Academy.

Do I need to download any applications? 

If you have an up-to-date web browser, you are not required to download any additional applications for the Skilling Academy. All the resources you need for the Skilling Academy can be accessed through an up-to-date web browser. We recommend Google Chrome as your web browser. While it is not required, we also recommend downloading the Microsoft Teams application for a better experience. The virtual instruction will take place on Microsoft Teams, and the labs will occur in Skillable. Students can use their personal or government furnished equipment (GFE) computer if it has the minimum configuration requirements. 

What are the configuration requirements to participate in the Skilling Academy? 

Students will need access to the following to participate in the Skilling Academy: 

  • Minimum configuration requirements 
    • Personal or GFE laptop or desktop computer with an up-to-date operating system  
    • Speakers or headset  
    • Camera  
    • Microphone  
    • Internet bandwidth: 10 Mbps  
    • CPU: 1.1 GHz, Dual Core  
    • RAM: 4.0 GB  
    • Browser: Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari 
    • Apps: MS Teams  
    • Email: Access to federal government email account 
  • Recommended Configuration Requirements 
    • Internet bandwidth: 50+ Mbps 
    • CPU:  2.0 GHz, Quad Core or better 
    • RAM: 8.0+ GB 
    • Secondary monitor 

Note: If you do not have a GFE computer, you may be able to access your federal government email account and MS Teams account through another means. Contact your agency’s IT Service Desk for more information on the availability of accessing your federal government email without using GFE.  

Is a virtual private network (VPN) required? Can I use a VPN? 

Connecting through a VPN should not be an issue if the internet service provider/VPN provider offers sufficient bandwidth. If a connection issue occurs during the class or while doing the labs, try disconnecting from the VPN and reloading the content. 

Are we encouraged to read recommended books or other reading materials outside of the session? 

Students will be given access to a comprehensive online library (Cengage) used in the curriculum that will also contain supplemental learning material.

During the Skilling Academy

How much of my time will the Skilling Academy take up?

The Skilling Academy is an intense, full-time, three-month program. Students will be required to attend Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET for the entire three-month course (excluding federal holidays and predetermined session breaks). Students will not be able to maintain their alternative work schedule during the session.

Please speak with your supervisor before applying to ensure that you can fulfill the Skilling Academy’s attendance requirements.

Can I work my regular duty assignment during any extended scheduled breaks during the session?

During any extended scheduled course breaks, students are required to return to their regular duty assignment unless the home agency has approved leave.

Can I work on my regular duty assignment tasks during the daily short breaks?

No, the Skilling Academy will be the student’s focus for the 40-hour, full-time work week while enrolled. Participants perform self-study between online classes, working through on-demand material and completing labs and study assessments. 

Please speak with your supervisor before applying to ensure that you can fulfill the Skilling Academy’s attendance requirements. 

Where will the Skilling Academy take place?

The Skilling Academy is held 100% virtually. The courses are live and led by an instructor via Microsoft Teams.

Is there a cost for the Skilling Academy?

The Skilling Academy is offered at no cost to students. Individuals are responsible for obtaining the appropriate supervisor approval for participation and must comply with their agency’s specific policies related to training. 

How will the Skilling Academy instructors teach the content? 

The instructors will use real-time demonstrations, examples, and assignments to reinforce learning through both an instructor-led guided lab environment and an unguided lab environment, where students can practice and hone their newly acquired cybersecurity knowledge. 

Are there any certifications associated with the Skilling Academy pathways?

During the course, time will be allocated to provide training aligned with an accredited certification exam for the selected work role, offering participants a voucher to test for the related certification. However, please note that certification training is not the primary focus of the Skilling Academy. Please see the specific course descriptions for additional information on official certification eligibility for your chosen Skilling Academy pathway.

What will the Skilling Academy and associated certifications prepare me for?

The Skilling Academy helps full-time federal employees develop their cybersecurity skills through training in the baseline knowledge, skills, and abilities of diverse cyber work roles as defined in the NICE Framework. These offerings cover several cyber critical domains, specialty areas, and work roles to help ensure a robust education in cybersecurity. Any certification training received will assist in validating the skills you learn during the session.

How much study time is required outside of class? 

Students are not required to study outside of class; however, we strongly encourage you to study as much as necessary to master the material. The class is fast-paced and additional study will help in completing assignments by their due dates. 

Will we have breaks during class? If yes, how often? 

There will be a 10-minute break approximately every hour of class and an hour break for lunch. Up to two, week-long breaks may be scheduled during a course. If accepted into a course, please refer to the official schedule for more information.

Does the Skilling Academy guarantee a cybersecurity position or affect my pay grade upon completion of the session? 

No, completing the training will not guarantee employment placement, nor will it automatically affect pay grades. While CISA cannot guarantee that individuals who complete the Skilling Academy will receive job offers or increased pay grades at the end of the training, you will have foundational technical skills in the chosen work role. Students may also receive training and a test voucher to acquire globally recognized certifications for their chosen pathway near the end of the three-month session. Please see the specific course descriptions for additional information on official certification eligibility.

If I am a CISA employee, does graduating from the Skilling Academy automatically qualify me to participate in the Cyber Pay Enhancements Program? 

No, graduating from the Skilling Academy does not automatically qualify CISA employees to participate in the CISA Cyber Pay Enhancements Program. CISA employees should discuss with their supervisor for additional information.  

Must I share my screen or activate my webcam during class or assignments? 

The Skilling Academy requires students to be on camera and participate during class hours to ensure a more collaborative environment. Only select job series with specific security and safety precautions may be exempt from this requirement. Please speak with the Skilling Academy in advance to seek an exemption. 

Compensation and Leave

Are we allowed to take leave during the session?

Consistent attendance is vital to successful completion of Skilling Academy courses. The Skilling Academy recommends students do not miss more than five consecutive days. If a student misses eight (8) or more classes or 20% of the labs in the Skilling Academy, the student will be marked as incomplete and will not graduate from the program. The student may, however, apply to a future course or session. 

What if I need to miss a class or lab activity? 

Participants will need to make up any missed class time by accessing class recordings and self-study materials as soon as possible, prior to the end of the course. Class recordings are available for two weeks after the completion of each module. 

Are there any penalties for missing more than eight days?

If a student misses more than eight (8) days or 20% of the labs in the Skilling Academy, the student will be marked as incomplete and will not graduate from the program. The student may, however, apply to a future course session. 

If you have scheduled leave, or plan to schedule leave, outside of the predetermined session breaks, the Skilling Academy strongly recommends applying to a different session.

What if I have an emergency? 

Participants are allowed to take sick leave or emergency personal leave. Missing class without notifying the Skilling Academy before taking sick leave or emergency personal leave is considered taking unplanned leave. Participants will need to make up any missed class time by accessing class recordings and self-study materials as soon as possible, prior to the end of the course. Class recordings are available for two weeks after the completion of each module. 

What if I can no longer attend after starting the session? 

Each session has a limited capacity. Applicants should commit to attend, participate, and complete the entire rigorous, three-month session. If a student decides to withdraw from the session after the start date, a formal withdrawal form signed by the student’s supervisor will be required.

Will I be paid for the time required to participate in the Skilling Academy, and will this cover any overtime? 

The Skilling Academy is considered training, so students will be paid by their home agency. The Skilling Academy does not authorize overtime and there is no additional compensation available through the Skilling Academy. Applicants are responsible for working with their supervisor to confirm compliance with their home agency’s policies, to include any necessary timekeeping to ensure salary payments from their home agency are not interrupted. 

If I am not selected for the Skilling Academy, what can I do to improve my cybersecurity knowledge and skills?

There are a variety of free resources available online to help build cybersecurity knowledge.

If you were not selected for the Skilling Academy, you may also apply for a future session. Information about future sessions will be available on the Skilling Academy website.

If I am nearing retirement, may I enroll?

While applicants may apply for the Skilling Academy, participants should discuss with their supervisor whether their home agency requires a Continuing Service Agreement (CSA) upon completion of the training.

Does the Skilling Academy require a Continuing Service Agreement (CSA)? 

Applicants are responsible for working with their supervisor to confirm compliance with their home agency’s policies, to include any CSAs.

Supervisors

Is a supervisor’s permission required to apply to the Skilling Academy? 

Yes, students require the appropriate supervisor approval to apply and attend the Skilling Academy. Both the student and the supervisor must sign the Supervisor and Applicant Agreement and Approval Form. Please ensure the appropriate supervisor signs the form electronically using a digital certificate (i.e., PIV or CAC). It is the applicant's responsibility to notify any additional supervisors that they report to when applying to a session so that they can set supervisor expectations during the Skilling Academy.  

Transportation Security Administration applicants who work for individual airports need approval from the supervisor who approves schedule changes. In most cases, this will be the Federal Security Director or Assistant Federal Security Director. Please have this individual sign the Supervisor and Applicant Agreement and Approval Form.

While students attend the Skilling Academy can supervisors ask them to conduct tasks related to their regular duty assignment? 

No, the Skilling Academy is the student’s focus for their entire 40-hour work week for the duration of the course. Supervisors should refrain from contacting the student for work-related tasking, including, but not limited to, meetings, calls, and work deliverables.

Do supervisors still approve leave for those participating in the Skilling Academy? 

Supervisors are still in charge of approving the leave requests for their direct and indirect reports who are participating in the Skilling Academy.

Will the Skilling Academy provide status updates to supervisors regarding student progress or attendance records?

The Skilling Academy is not responsible for providing supervisors with status updates and/or attendance records of the student, except in cases requiring disciplinary intervention. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate directly with their supervisor regarding program status updates and attendance records as required by their home agency. In cases where students are absent from scheduled training without prior approval or notification, action will be taken by the Skilling Academy to properly rectify the situation with notification to both student and supervisor.

Whom may I contact for more information?

For questions, email SkillingAcademy@cisa.dhs.gov.