Frederick Community College

Programme overview

The Cyber Workforce Accelerator (CWA) is a fully online, self-paced short training designed to prepare participants for entry-level Security Operations Center (SOC) work. Delivered over up to 60 days, the program culminates in the Security Operations Center Operations Analyst I (SOCOA I) certification, an Industry-Recognized Credential acknowledged by the State of Maryland.

What you'll study

• Part I – Asynchronous virtual training (40 hours): foundational topics including cybersecurity governance, enterprise security principles, threat analysis and attacker behavior, networking fundamentals, and Linux command-line skills.
• Part II – Experiential range training (8 hours): instructor-led, hands-on exercises on the BCR Cyber Series 3000 Cyber Range focused on detecting, mitigating, and remediating simulated attacks.
• Certification exam: a 100-question, 90-minute assessment measuring technical and operational proficiency for the SOCOA I credential.

Entry requirements

• Enrollment must be through a participating Maryland community college (Frederick Community College participates).
• Must be pursuing or hold an IT/Cybersecurity associate degree, or hold two of the following certifications: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, or CompTIA Security+.
• Actively seeking employment in IT/cybersecurity.
• Maryland residency with U.S. citizenship, Green Card, or valid U.S. work authorization.
• No criminal convictions.
• Age 18 or older (or 17 and turning 18 within six months of program start).

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to enter entry-level SOC analyst roles and employers hiring SOCOA I-certified analysts include federal, state and local government agencies, private-sector organizations across industries, cybersecurity firms, and consulting services. Job placement assistance is available following completion.

Scholarships & funding angle

The program is offered at no cost to participants. It runs year-round, is self-paced and online, and requires a 48-hour training commitment plus the exam to be completed within 60 days of the start date.