Identifying Multiple Cybersecurity Career Pathways to Build a Diverse Cybersecurity Workforce - MAY 2023

Sep 20, 2026

The document identifies multiple cybersecurity career pathways aligned with the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity to support entry and advancement in cybersecurity work roles across private and public sectors. It explains the report’s charge and approach, defines career pathways using the WIOA framework, and distinguishes pathway systems versus individual programs. It also outlines what cybersecurity work is, including multiple opportunities and multiple entry/exit points, then provides discussion, recommendations, references, and supporting appendices with certifications and pathway tools.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages43

Reading Time1 h 48 min

AccessFree to download

Authors & Acknowledgements

Table of Contents

Introduction

Report Charge and Approach

Report Structure

Career Pathway Ecosystem

What Are Career Pathways?

What Is Cybersecurity Work?

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendices

Appendix A: Cybersecurity Certifications Referenced by Five or More Organizations

Appendix B: Cybersecurity Career Pathway Tools, Programs, and Systems Examples

Appendix C: Cybersecurity Guidance Regarding WIOA Career Pathways

Identifying Multiple Career Pathways to Build a Diverse Cybersecurity Workforce NICE Community Coordinating Council Promote Cybersecurity Career Discovery Working Group MAY 2023 Email: [nice@nist.gov](nice@nist.gov) Website: [nist.gov/nice](nist.gov/nice) Authors & Acknowledgements Identifying Multiple Career Pathways to Build a Diverse Cybersecurity Workforce was developed by an authoring team that includes representatives from the NICE Community Coordinating Council. NICE wishes to acknowledge and thank these authors, whose dedicated efforts contributed significantly to the publication: Additionally, the document authors gratefully acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of members of the NICE Community Coordinating Council for their contributions. In particular, the authors thank the co-chairs and members from: The Promote Career Discovery Working Group, led by co-chairs James "Jimmy" Baker, Arrow Electronics; Keith Davis, Koinonia Family Life, Inc.; and Roland Varriale II, Argonne National Laboratory. The Multiple Career Pathways for Cybersecurity Project Team, led by Jeff Grann, Credential Engine and Mark Beaudry, Worcester State University. Table of Contents AUTHORS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................... 3 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................. 4 REPORT CHARGE AND APPROACH ................................................................................................................. 4 REPORT STRUCTURE................................................................................................................................... 5 CAREER PATHWAY ECOSYSTEM ...................................................................................................... 6 WHAT ARE CAREER PATHWAYS? .................................................................................................................. 6 The WIOA Definition of Career Pathway ......................................................................................... 7 Key Elements of Career Pathways ................................................................................................... 8 Career Pathways Systems vs. Career Pathways Individual Programs ........................................... 11 WHAT IS CYBERSECURITY WORK?............................................................................................................... 13 General Definition .......................................................................................................................... 13 Multiple Opportunities .................................................................................................................. 16 Multiple Entry and Exit Points ....................................................................................................... 16 DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................................. 23 RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................................................... 27 REFERENCES................................................................................................................................. 29 APPENDICES................................................................................................................................. 30 APPENDIX A: CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATIONS REFERENCED BY FIVE OR MORE ORGANIZATIONS............................. 30 APPENDIX B: CYBERSECURITY CAREER PATHWAY TOOLS, PROGRAMS, AND SYSTEMS EXAMPLES ............................. 32 Federal Government Career Pathway Tools ........

FAQs

What is the main goal of the report?

To identify multiple cybersecurity career pathways aligned with the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity that can be used to prepare individuals for entering or advancing in cybersecurity careers.

How does the report define “career pathways”?

It uses the WIOA definition of career pathway and highlights key elements, including how pathways enable progress for individuals while aligning with employer skill needs.

What cybersecurity work dimensions does the report cover?

It provides a general definition of cybersecurity work and explains multiple opportunities, including multiple entry and exit points for career advancement.

Sep 20, 2026

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