--- title: About | Virginia Cyber Skills Academies (VCSA) description: The VA Cyber Skills Academies program consists of cybersecurity training programs developed to support new careers and improve existing cyber skills. --- [Skip to content](https://www.vacyberskills.com/about#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) # About The Program ![Man smiling at laptop](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/VCSA%20-%20Image%20Treatments%20(10)%20(1).png) The VA Cyber Skills Academies program consists of cybersecurity training programs developed in response to the COVID-19 impact on the economy and to the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals. The VCSA’s mission is to both support new career transitions into the cyber industry and to help those who want to improve their existing cyber skills.    VCSA will also offer ongoing Career and Networking programs which consist of a mix of webinars and virtual meetups as an introduction into the cyber community  The VCSA is sponsored by the State of Virginia and run by a consortium of businesses, which include the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu (WSC), SANS Institute, and  Katzcy, LLC. A variety of other businesses support and sponsor the program, as well. ##### **VA Cyber Reskilling Academy**  Free technical skills training and soft skills development for Northern VA Residents with limited-to-no cybersecurity experience. ##### **VA Cyber Upskilling Academy** Free hands-on training and certifications that advances the skills of existing Northern VA Residents’ IT/Cyber Security Professionals. ## Meet Our Founding Partners ![Cyberjutsu Logo](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Cyberjutsu%20Logo.png) ### Women's Society of Cyberjutsu The Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu (WSC) is a Northern Virginia-based 501(c)3 founded in 2012 which serves thousands of women, men, and girls across the globe by bringing awareness to, and advancing careers in, cybersecurity. The WSC community includes information security professionals, IT professionals, programmers, computer scientists, and engineers, as well as women wanting to explore and join the field. Recognizing the importance of encouraging girls to embrace a future in STEM-related professions through its Cyberjutsu Girls Academy, WSC provides a unique hands-on curriculum focused on securing information technology. In addition to the Cyberjutsu Girls Academy, WSC also provides platforms for networking, skills-building, mentorship, and a jobs board to aid in increasing historically underrepresented groups’ participation in the Cyber Security Workforce. ![SANS logo](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/SANS-Logos-TagLogo-wBG-CMYK-01.jpg) ### SANS The SANS Institute (SANS) is the most trusted and by far the largest source for information security training and security certification in the world. SANS has supported Federal, Governmental, Educational, and Commercial organizations alike since 1989. Each year more than 70,000 cybersecurity professionals are trained by renowned SANS instructors through 65+ courses. GIAC, an ANSI accredited affiliate of the SANS Institute, validates employee qualifications via over 35 hands-on, technical certifications in information security. GIAC exams validate real-world competency and focus on hands-on concepts with skill-specific certifications that are directly aligned with critical InfoSec job duties. ![Katzcy_Flat logo-GrowthHackers](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Katzcy_Flat%20logo-GrowthHackers.png?width=300&height=80&name=Katzcy_Flat%20logo-GrowthHackers.png) ### Katzcy Katzcy is a social impact company committed to helping our tech and cybersecurity community grow through impactful marketing strategies, community workforce initiatives, and skill-oriented tech competitions. Through our PlayCyber business line, Katzcy is helping build a stronger and more diverse community of cybersecurity professionals by delivering exciting cyber games experiences. ## Meet the Advisory Board ![Mari Galloway](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Mari%20Galloway.png) #### Mari Galloway ![JessGulick](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/JessGulick.png) #### Jessica Gulick ![maxwell shuftan](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/maxwell%20shuftan.png) #### Maxwell Shuftan ![Maureen Shrewsbury](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Maureen%20Shrewsbury.png) #### Maureen Shrewsbury ![headshots VCSA](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/headshots%20VCSA.png) #### Jessica Solis ![Susan Baker](https://www.vacyberskills.com/hubfs/Susan-Baker.jpeg) #### Susan Baker ## Questions About the Program? Visit our FAQ page to read more info about this program. [Learn More](https://www.vacyberskills.com/faq?hsLang=en) [![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. 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