A new educational initiative has been launched by a coalition of universities, community colleges, and cybersecurity organizations aimed at teaching software developers how to code securely while maintaining efficiency. This initiative, known as the Strengthen Workforce Education for Excellence in Programming Securely (SWEEPS) program, offers a range of training options including workshops, online courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs to address the skills gap in software security.
The SWEEPS program is designed to provide developers with the necessary application security knowledge and tools to enhance their skills in secure programming. It is open to students and professionals at all career stages, from entry-level developers to experienced IT professionals. The program is funded by a $2.5 million grant from the National Centers for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C), which is administered by the National Security Agency’s National Cryptologic School.
The curriculum of the SWEEPS program covers essential concepts, principles, and examples of secure programming, as well as proactive practices for improving security. Participants will learn about data security standards, reducing security vulnerabilities in software, compliance and legal requirements in secure programming, vulnerability analysis, exploits, and advanced defense mechanisms.
Matt Bishop, the principal investigator of the SWEEPS program and a computer science professor at the University of California, Davis, emphasized the importance of secure software development in protecting the country’s infrastructure and computer systems from cyber threats. He highlighted the need for programmers to defend against cyber criminals and malicious actors who exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems.
The SWEEPS program offers various training formats and lengths to cater to different needs. Virtual workshops, self-paced online courses, intensive bootcamps, and advanced certification programs are available for different levels of experience and expertise. The program is being conducted by leading institutions such as the University of California, Davis; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Xiaoyan Sun, a computer science professor at WPI and program administrator, stressed the increasing demand for experts in secure programming due to the rising frequency of large-scale cyberattacks. Participants in the SWEEPS program are expected to gain the skills needed to implement security best practices in their coding practices.
Enrollment in the SWEEPS program is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, with priority given to those with military or first responder backgrounds. Each program has specific application requirements and deadlines, with some requiring prerequisite courses and programming abilities. It is projected that around 700 students will participate in the program to enhance their skills in secure programming and contribute to improving software security in various industries.