November 19, 2024 at 10:45PM
The SWEEPS initiative, funded by a $2.5 million grant, aims to enhance secure coding skills among software developers through workshops, courses, and bootcamps. Targeting all career stages, it addresses the skills gap in software security, promoting best practices to defend against cyberattacks. Enrollment prioritizes U.S. citizens with military backgrounds.
**Meeting Takeaways: SWEEPS Program Launch**
1. **Initiative Overview**:
– A coalition of universities, community colleges, and cybersecurity organizations has launched the SWEEPS program to enhance secure coding skills among software developers.
2. **Program Offerings**:
– **Formats Available**:
– One-day workshops
– Self-paced online courses (45 hours)
– Week-long intensive bootcamps
– Full certificate programs
– Target Audience: All career stages, from entry-level developers to experienced IT professionals.
3. **Funding**:
– The program is funded by a $2.5 million grant from the National Centers for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) via the National Security Agency’s National Cryptologic School.
4. **Curriculum Highlights**:
– Focuses on secure programming principles, data security standards, reducing vulnerabilities, compliance, legal requirements, and advanced defense mechanisms.
5. **Goals**:
– To equip software developers with the skills to prevent cyberattacks and improve overall software security, addressing the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
6. **Program Leadership**:
– Matt Bishop (UC Davis) as principal investigator emphasizes the need for secure software development training.
– Xiaoyan Sun (WPI) highlights the program’s importance given the rise in cyberattacks.
7. **Enrollment Details**:
– Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, with priority for military and first responders.
– Different application requirements and deadlines depending on the program, with projected enrollment of around 700 students.
8. **Participating Institutions**:
– Notable contributors include UC Davis, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
This comprehensive initiative aims to address the urgent need for secure programming education and training in the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats.