3 days ago
Want to join the CISA? Here's how to get started in a cybersecurity career in the US
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) builds the national capacity to defend against cyber attacks and works with the federal government to provide cybersecurity tools, incident response services and assessment capabilities to safeguard the '.gov' networks that support the essential operations of partner departments and agencies.
CISA coordinates security and resilience efforts using trusted partnerships across the private and public sectors, and delivers technical assistance and assessments to federal stakeholders as well as to infrastructure owners and operators nationwide.
If you're an aspiring cybersecurity professional and want in, here's your guide.
First, understand what CISA does
Established in 2018 under the Department of Homeland Security, CISA's job is to protect federal networks and collaborate with public and private sector partners to secure infrastructure across 16 sectors, from energy and healthcare to elections and transportation.
CISA operates across offices in Washington, D.C. and regional centers throughout the US. Its mission is not limited to responding to cyberattacks. It also includes threat hunting, vulnerability mitigation, infrastructure resilience and national risk assessment.
Use the government's own roadmap to plan your entry
CISA operates the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS), which maintains tools designed to help aspiring professionals navigate their way into the cybersecurity workforce.
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Two tools that matter:
Cyber Career Pathways Tool:
Offers an interactive breakdown of 52 work roles across categories such as secure systems architecture, penetration testing, and cyber policy. It also maps which skills and certifications each job requires.
Cybersecurity Career Pathways Roadmap:
Helps you visualise career growth across job families and specialisations.
These are government-endorsed tools built using the NICE Framework, a national standard for defining cybersecurity roles.
Start early if you are still in school
CISA's Pathways Internship Program is open to high school, undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in fields such as computer science, cybersecurity, information assurance or IT management. These internships are paid and developmental, meaning students work on real cybersecurity projects with mentorship.
To qualify, applicants must:
Be a US citizen
Have a GPA of at least 2.5
Be available to complete at least 640 internship hours before graduation
Pass a background investigation (Secret-level clearance)
The internship is often a gateway to a permanent role at CISA.
In 2025, interns can also apply for conversion to a full-time role through non-competitive hiring.
For graduates, there is the Pathways Recent Graduates Program, which offers one-year rotational experience, and the Cybersecurity Talent Initiative (CTI), a competitive two-year fellowship for tech graduates that includes placements in both government and private sector organisations.
Another leadership route is the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program, aimed at those holding advanced degrees.
Know what skills matter most in 2025
Communication and critical thinking are the most requested soft skills in cybersecurity job candidates across the US. Among programming languages, Java remains the most cited in both professional postings and developer forums.
For CISA-specific roles, technical skills may include:
Operating systems (Windows, Linux, MacOS)
Network protocols and tools (TCP/IP, Wireshark)
Cloud platforms (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud)
Risk and vulnerability management
Certifications can give you a clear advantage
While entry-level roles at CISA do not always require certifications, most cybersecurity professionals earn them to stay competitive.
Following certifications can help demonstrate credibility and readiness for advanced federal roles.
CompTIA Security+
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The CISA certification, awarded by ISACA (not the agency itself), is especially relevant for those pursuing auditing, risk and governance roles. The exam includes 150 questions and requires five years of work experience, which can be reduced through waivers based on education or related credentials.
Search and apply strategically
CISA lists open positions on the federal government's official employment portal, as well as on its own careers page. In 2025, the agency is actively hiring in mission areas such as:
Cybersecurity and IT
Infrastructure Security
National Risk Management
Integrated Operations
Emergency Communications
Some roles are open to recent graduates or mid-career professionals with the right mix of experience and clearance eligibility.
Applicants typically submit a federal-style resume, complete an online questionnaire and may undergo additional assessments. Background investigations, drug testing and clearance processing can take several weeks. US citizenship is mandatory for all CISA positions.
Once in, build a future inside CISA
Career mobility is encouraged within the agency. Employees can transition across roles aligned with the NICE Framework. In-house training, mentorship programs and support for continuing education are part of CISA's long-term investment in its workforce.
The agency emphasises its core values: service, integrity, excellence and people-first leadership. Professionals are expected to uphold these while working under pressure in mission-critical environments.
Joining CISA is not just a technical decision, it is a choice to serve. Whether your strength lies in writing secure code, analysing threats or coordinating national response, your career at CISA will place you in direct contact with some of the biggest digital challenges of our time.
Use NICCS to chart your path, explore internships while in school, upskill through certifications and monitor federal job boards regularly. With preparation and intent, you can enter a field where your work will always matter.
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