--- title: Virginia Cyber Skills Academy (VCSA) description: New Skills. New Start. The VA Cyber Skills Academies provide world-class, hands-on training to candidates who want to start or expand their careers in the cybersecurity field. image: https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/VCSA-FB-LI-Image5.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.vacyberskills.com#main-content) [![Virginia Cyber Skills Academies](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2021-03-VCSA_logo_color-1.png?width=350&height=74&name=2021-03-VCSA_logo_color-1.png "Virginia Cyber Skills Academies")](https://vacyberskills.com?hsLang=en) [![Virginia Cyber Skills Academies](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2021-03-VCSA_logo_white.png?width=350&height=73&name=2021-03-VCSA_logo_white.png "Virginia Cyber Skills Academies")](https://vacyberskills.com?hsLang=en) - [Contact Us](https://www.vacyberskills.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) [Contact Us](https://www.vacyberskills.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ## This program was March 2021 - June 2023 and is now closed due to funding. ### VCSA was a Free Cyber Training for Northern VA Residents financially impacted by Covid. ## What Is VCSA? ### New Skills. New Start. The VA Cyber Skills Academies (VCSA) provide world-class, hands-on training to candidates who want to start or expand their career in the cybersecurity field. Sponsored by the state of Virginia, this program was developed to aid its residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and help its business community meet the increasing demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals. Our flexible, practical training and support will fast-track you into a cybersecurity career with one of our local Northern Virginia employer partners. In addition to four-to-six-month accelerated, immersive training curricula, VCSA offers ongoing career and networking programs to introduce you into the cyber community. ##### **VA Cyber Reskilling Academy** Free hands-on technical training and soft skills development for Northern Virginia residents with limited-to-no cybersecurity experience. ##### **VA Cyber Upskilling Academy** Free practical training and industry certifications for qualified IT/cybersecurity professionals residing in Northern Virginia to advance their skills. ## Why VCSA? ![2021-04-VCSA_icons_freetraining](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/2021-04-VCSA_icons_freetraining.png) #### Free Training Your tuition is funded by the state of Virginia. ![2021-04-VCSA_icons_workwhilelearn](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/2021-04-VCSA_icons_workwhilelearn.png) #### Work While You Learn Flexible training schedules take weeks—not years. ![2021-04-VCSA_icons_professmentors](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/2021-04-VCSA_icons_professmentors.png) #### Professional Mentors Expert coaches are from top local employers. ## Our Academies ![Reskilling](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/VCSA%20-%20Image%20Treatments%20(1).png) #### VA Cyber Reskilling Academy ###### No IT experience needed - Fast track into an in-demand career - Hands-on skills training - Industry-recognized, world-class instruction (SANS Institute) - Get GIAC certified (Global Information Assurance Certification) - Program meets federal/Department of Defense (DoD 8140) requirements that employers need - Mentors help you identify jobs that fit your skills and goals and coach you on connecting with employers and VCSA partners ![](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/VCSA%20-%20Image%20Treatments%20(2)%20(1)-1.png) #### VA Cyber Upskilling Academy ###### For early-career IT/cyber professionals looking to advance - Increase your knowledge and earning potential - Explore new areas of cybersecurity - Complete advanced SANS training courses - Complete the GIAC certification - Innovative, hands-on labs, and practical exercises  - Gain leadership skills and boost your professional development ### Questions About Other Cyber Training Programs? ##### Contact Us. ## Cyber Careers Are in Demand! ![2021-04-VCSA_icons_jobsecurity](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/2021-04-VCSA_icons_jobsecurity.png) #### Job Security The current demand for cybersecurity professionals in the public and private sectors is making employers scale up and out. ![2021-04-VCSA_icons_interestvariety](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/2021-04-VCSA_icons_interestvariety.png) #### Interesting Variety Cyber professionals work in many different situations and with the latest technologies.   ![2021-04-VCSA_icons_intellectpuzzles](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/2021-04-VCSA_icons_intellectpuzzles.png) #### Intellectual Puzzles While you’ll learn best practices and principles, there’s always something new to learn and always a new opportunity to excel. ![2021-04-VCSA_icons_jobfulfillment](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/2021-04-VCSA_icons_jobfulfillment.png) #### Job Fulfillment Prevent real criminals from taking advantage of your friends and family—and places like schools, businesses, and more. ## Academy Application Process ![2021-06-VCSA_ApplicationProcess_infographic_V3_noheader](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/2021-06-VCSA_ApplicationProcess_infographic_V3_noheader.jpg) ## Our Founders [![Cyberjutsu Logo](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Cyberjutsu%20Logo.png)](https://womenscyberjutsu.org/) [![SANS-Logos-TagLogo-wBG-CMYK-01](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/SANS-Logos-TagLogo-wBG-CMYK-01.jpg)](https://www.sans.org/) [![Katzcy_Flat logo-GrowthHackers](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Katzcy_Flat%20logo-GrowthHackers.png)](https://www.katzcy.com/) ## Program Partners [![DarkCubed](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/DarkCubed.png)](https://darkcubed.com/) [![FlexProfessionals](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/FlexProfessionals.png)](https://www.flexprofessionalsllc.com/) [![Leidos](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Leidos.png)](https://www.leidos.com/) [![Prince William County](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Prince%20William%20County%20copy.png)](https://www.pwcded.org/) [![Peraton](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Peraton.png)](https://www.peraton.com/) [![NVTC](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/NVTC.png)](https://www.nvtc.org/) [![VT Pamplin](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/VT%20Pamplin.png)](https://pamplin.vt.edu/) [![Cross Country Consulting](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/CrossCountry.png)](https://www.crosscountry-consulting.com/) [![Loudon ED](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Loudon%20ED.png)](https://biz.loudoun.gov/) [![Fairfax EDA](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/FairfaxEDA.png)](https://www.fairfaxcountyeda.org/) [![VACyberRange](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/VACyberRange.png)](https://www.virginiacyberrange.org/) [![AEDP](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/AEDP.png)](https://alexandriaecon.org/) [![Connsci](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Connsci%20copy%20(1).png)](https://connsci.com/) [![NinjaJobs](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/NinjaJobs.png)](https://ninjajobs.org/) [![RecordedFuture](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/RecordedFuture.png)](https://www.recordedfuture.com/) [![SecureAnchor](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/SecureAnchor.png)](https://secure-anchor.com/) [![theCyberWire-logo-875](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/theCyberWire-logo-875.jpeg)](https://thecyberwire.com) [![Halfaker-Logo-Retina](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Halfaker-Logo-Retina.png)](https://www.halfaker.com) [![Synack_transparent](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Synack_transparent.png)](https://www.synack.com) [![mantech-only-logo](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/mantech-only-logo.png)](http://mantech.com) [![Virginia Cyber Skills Academies](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2021-03-VCSA_logo_white.png?width=302&name=2021-03-VCSA_logo_white.png)](https://www.vacyberskills.com/?hsLang=en) Providing world-class cyber training programs for candidates with no IT experience and those currently in the cyber industry. The program is free to qualified applicants residing in Northern Virginia. VCSA was funded in part by GO VIRGINIA, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that strengthens and diversifies Virginia's economy and fosters the creation of higher-wage jobs in strategic industries. © 2026 VA Cyber Skills Academies (VCSA). All Rights Reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://www.vacyberskills.com/privacy-policy?hsLang=en) | [Terms of Use](https://www.vacyberskills.com/terms-of-use?hsLang=en) | [Cookie Policy](https://www.vacyberskills.com/cookie-policy?hsLang=en) #### Learn More - [Contact Us](https://www.vacyberskills.com/contact-us)