Cleo Capital, an early-stage venture firm, has announced a cybersecurity accelerator program aimed at addressing the growing epidemic of online threats, as first announced by TechCrunch. The 12-week remote initiative seeks to support pre-seed and seed-stage companies worldwide, offering $250,000 in funding for a 7% equity stake. Applications are open until January 20, with the program starting on February 24. Tackling Cybercrime with Innovation Sarah Kunst, founder and managing partner of Cleo Capital, was inspired to create the program after witnessing the rising tide of fraud in industries like crypto,
Jackson State University (JSU) has been awarded a $2 million grant from the Entergy Charitable Foundation to establish a Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab, designed to address the growing cybersecurity needs of the energy sector. This significant investment will support JSU’s commitment to training a diverse, skilled workforce capable of safeguarding critical infrastructure. The grant was formally announced during a ceremony on October 7, where JSU President Marcus Thompson, Ph.D., received the check from Entergy Mississippi President and CEO Haley Fisackerly. Advancing Cybersecurity in the Energy Sector The new
Mother-daughter duo Claudia and London Walker are set to release “The ABCs of Cybersecurity,” an adventure book and mobile game to equip children with the tools needed to navigate the digital world. Meet Claudia Walker Claudia Walker is an educator who paved the way to ensure financial literacy is accessible to children. Before Walker entered the education field, she worked on Wall Street as a financial analyst. Walk then shared her experiences with students about the money capital and attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) after noticing many weren’t
ThriveDX, a global leader in cybersecurity education, and BlackGirlsHack, an international cybersecurity training nonprofit increasing diverse representation in cybersecurity, have launched the BlackGirlsHack Scholars Program. The Scholars Program will enable a cohort of 25 individuals associated with BlackGirlsHack to receive the support and benefits needed to complete the program successfully and secure new cybersecurity employment. Helping Black Women and Girls Thrive In Cyber The BlackGirlsHack Foundation was founded by Tennisha Martin, a Black woman from Washington, D.C., who has worked in the IT and Cyber Space for over 15 years. The nonprofit
The SANS Institute and Sinclair Community College have teamed up with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to launch the JumpStart into Cyber summer program for underrepresented student groups. The program aims to “engage and empower underrepresented student groups, including women, Black, African American, Latino(a), Hispanic, and Indigenous students” by providing them with a two-step cybersecurity summer experience which leverages the gamified learning experience of CyberStart. Hacking simulations The program kicks off with CyberStart, an online gamified learning platform created by experts at SANS, the world’s largest provider of cybersecurity training
Leading cybersecurity and digital skills training company ThriveDX has partnered with the OneTen coalition to help Black talent secure tech and cybersecurity jobs – without needing college degrees. In 2020, America’s leading CEOs, companies, and talent developers banded together to form a coalition dedicated to upskilling, hiring, and promoting one million Black individuals who do not have four-year degrees. OneTen’s growing portfolio of 70+ partners includes educators, trainers, and providing Black people with the skills needed to secure “family-sustaining” jobs across the US. The coalition reports that they have helped more than 65,000 people secure top
The SANS Institute has partnered with Google to launch the SANS Cloud Diversity Academy (SCDA) as the White House releases it long-anticipated National Cybersecurity Strategy. SANS is the world’s largest provider of cybersecurity training and certifications. Now, through the SCDA, it is empowering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, and other underrepresented groups to launch their cybersecurity careers in a matter of months. The Academy will provide training in SANS courses and associated GIAC certifications and hands-on labs, focusing on cloud security. “As more businesses adopt cloud technology,
Automation Workz, a Detroit-based cybersecurity and tech re-skilling firm seeking to create a real-life ‘Wakanda,’ has secured ByBlack certification. Developed by the US Black Chambers, Inc. and presented by American Express, ByBlack is an extensive national Black business directory and the only national certification exclusively for Black-owned businesses. The certification provides Black entrepreneurs with advanced ways to reach their target client base and access valuable business tools. Creating a real-life Wakanda Automation Workz, founded by urban economist Ida Byrd-Hill, is a cybersecurity reskilling firm and creator of the first tech grit assessment to
The training development company, CyberVista, has announced its new partnership with the not-for-profit organization BlackGirlsHack (BGH Foundation). What is BlackGirlsHack? The BGH Foundation, founded by Tennisha Martin, aims to provide Black women and girls with the resources, mentorship, and resources needed to succeed within the cyber sector. The non-profit organization’s mission is to empower Black women to break into an industry that lacks diverse representation by supplying them with the essential training resources they need. BlackGirlsHack does not only advocate for diversity within the cyber security space, but they also use
IBM has announced the launch of Cybersecurity Leadership Centers across six HBCUs. The move aims to give students and faculty access to IBM training, software, and certifications at no extra cost. Underrepresented students and professors can receive help with coursework, lectures, immersive training experiences, and knowledgeable skills they can always take with them as they grow. According to IBM, the program will be available at 20 HBCUs across 11 states to help co-create Cybersecurity Leadership Centers and create talent opportunities for employers and students combined. “Collaborations between academia and the private
