Welcome to HSOC Cyber!
Not just training…
But a Cyber Proving Ground.
Drop into real cybersecurity systems, tackle real work challenges, build a portfolio employers trust, and become a cyber operator — confident, proficient, and proven.
HSOC Cyber Outcomes Dashboard
A plain-language view of what makes HSOC different: we do real work, on real systems, with real results. Every Fellow builds confidence and proficiency for the workplace — not just test prep, but applied certification training tied directly to real work.
Portfolio Artifacts
Every Fellow produces a professional portfolio demonstrating real-world cybersecurity work.
Mentorship
Direct access to HSOC Team Leads and Mentors — guided, supported learning at every step.
Confidence & Proficiency
Our proprietary Cyber Research & Confidence-Building Model turns objectives into demonstrated, repeatable skills.
Proven Success
We’ve supported hundreds — even thousands — in gaining real experience that advances careers. (We guarantee hands-on experience, not employment.)
*Detailed performance dashboards are shared privately with partners and employers.*
HSOC Timeline
2016
PCCS (Professional Certifications & Consulting Services)
We began by helping individuals earn industry certifications—laying the foundation for skills-first, high-touch training.
2020
HSOC Cyber Internship Program
HSOC Cyber launched the first Internship Program, moving beyond test prep to real systems and project-based training.
2024
HSOC Cyber Skills-First Fellowship Program
The Internship Program evolved into the Skills-First Fellowship, delivering certification-aligned, applied training with employer-trusted portfolios.
2025
HSOC Cyber Internship Program Relaunch
In partnership with Cyber Bytes Foundation and WIOA, HSOC reintroduced the Internship Program, offering paid, grant-funded training on real systems and projects.
From kids to career changers — every learner can enter the HSOC proving ground.
Choose your path: 3, 6, or 12 months. Every track includes team meetings, live missions, direct mentorship, and a portfolio employers can trust.
You'll work on missions covering:
Defensive Operations
Offensive Maneuvers
Governance & Compliance
Special Programs
Industry Certification Mapping: All project work is directly aligned with the knowledge required for leading certifications, including CompTIA, ISC2, EC-Council, and ISACA.
Skills-First Fellowship
Empower homeschool students to spot scams, strengthen digital hygiene, and integrate cybersecurity into daily life - building habits and career-ready skills.
Homeschool Cyber (HSSOC) is curriculum-aligned, designed to help families meet educational requirements while empowering students to spot scams and strengthen digital hygiene. Lessons focus on critical thinking and online safety skills, preparing them for a digital future. We provide resources to integrate cyber topics into daily academics and document progress for annual assessments.
Homeschool Cyber (HSSOC)
Our Programs & Tracks
After-school & summer challenges where teens learn to spot threats, think like defenders, and prepare for cyber careers.
HSOC CyberKids offers engaging, project-based activities for middle and high school students.
They develop critical thinking skills and an essential operator mindset through challenges based on real-world cybersecurity scenarios.
We help build tomorrow's protectors by offering virtual and on-site experiences.
HSOC CyberKids
A second-chance pathway for justice-impacted learners. Build resilience, portfolios, and a future in cybersecurity.
HSOCReset mentors justice-impacted job seekers, equipping them with in-demand technical skills, documented portfolios, and the resilience needed for workforce reentry. This second-chance pathway prepares candidates for modern cyber careers, connecting them with employers ready to hire skilled, dedicated talent.
HSOCReset
One-on-one cybersecurity & IT tutoring in real systems.
HSOC Tutor provides one-on-one, personalized cybersecurity and IT tutoring delivered in real-world systems. Sharpen your skills and achieve your goals with a session led by a seasoned professional with 20+ years of experience. This is training grounded in experience, not just theory.
$99/hour. Spots are limited.
HSOC Tutor
HSOC Partner
You can partner with HSOC Cyber in two ways:
The HSOC Cyber Internship Program, where Interns gain work 20 hours per week for 8 weeks, students are compensated for their time, and WIOA covers the program costs.
Interns leave with experience employers trust, confidence built through HSOC’s proprietary models, and industry-aligned projects that map directly to certifications like Security+, CEH, and Splunk.
HSOC Cyber Projects
Build Your Cyber Portfolio on Real Missions.
At HSOC Cyber, you don't just learn - you perform. Every Fellow builds a professional portfolio through hundreds of real-world missions across defensive, offensive, and governance operations.
Our projects are directly mapped to key industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA, ISC2, EC-Council, ISACA) and backed by customized training, including non-technical work-prep courses for military, educational institutions, and workforce partners.
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SOC Alert Triage: Investigate live alerts using Splunk and Wazuh. Practice MTTD/MTTR metrics and produce incident reports.
Threat Hunting: Proactively search for anomalies in network and endpoint logs. Build hypotheses and validate with data.
Cloud Security Monitoring: Deploy and monitor cloud workloads with SIEM and defensive tooling in AWS/Azure labs.
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Penetration Testing Reports: Exploit real vulnerable systems (VulnHub, internal labs), then write professional-grade reports for stakeholders.
Capture the Flag: Hands-on red team puzzles, privilege escalation challenges, and problem-solving missions in a competitive format.
Cybersecurity Escape Room: Gamified experience where learners must “escape” by solving cyber puzzles and securing systems under pressure.
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Policy & Awareness: Write and implement cyber awareness policies for home, schools, and enterprises. Practice policy rollout and communication.
Risk & Compliance: Map security controls to NIST, ISO, and DoD 8140 frameworks. Conduct mock audits and compliance checks.
Cyber Consulting: Act as a consultant: assess client needs, recommend security controls, and present findings.
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Youth & Homeschool Tracks: Hands-on missions for students to learn scam detection, digital hygiene, and daily-life cybersecurity.
HSOC Reset: Second-chance program for re-entry and justice-impacted learners. Build confidence and career pathways in cyber.
Customized Training: Military, schools, nonprofits, and businesses can request tailored certification or non-technical workforce programs.
What You’ll Need to Succeed
Commitment to Team Meetings
Join our bi-weekly team sessions held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST. Consistent participation is essential to stay aligned, contribute to discussions, and grow with your peers.
Technology Requirements
Preferred: 32GB or 64GB RAM (Watch the video to learn why this is ideal)
Minimum: 16GB RAM
A modern laptop or desktop computer is required to support cybersecurity work projects.
Professional Expectations
A serious, positive, and proactive attitude with a willingness to embrace new challenges and complete tasks on time.
The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in team settings.
Strong time management skills to balance projects and deliverables within set deadlines.
Testimonials
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Amber Whyte
"I am proud to say that I have made 2 years within the field of Cyber Security."
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Jonathan Jackson
"At HSOC Cyber, I didn’t just study theory, I applied knowledge in meaningful and practical ways."
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Megan Jaindl
"I engaged in hands-on research and built my own projects from scratch.”
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Andre Harris
"Because of the skills and experience I gained in this internship, I was offered jobs in both business and government. I chose to work for a federal agency."
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Aaron Johnson
"The hands-on projects gave me real-world practice and helped me feel more confident in my skills.”
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Tabitha Nelson Giddings
"The hands-on experience equipped me with the skills I needed to protect my own personal network."
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Joshua Small
"The live team meetings helped me build skills that I couldn't have gained from just reading textbooks."
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Adam Spencer
“I was able to go from a residential sales job to obtaining a Security+ certification, which helped me get my first job in cybersecurity sales.”
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Okeezi
“I enhanced my proficiency in threat detection, incident response, and network defense, solidifying my foundational skills in the field.”
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Qudus Olugbade
"On the first day of my job, I was able to provision a Windows server and perform basic configurations before deploying a solution on the server."
Trusted by Partners & Featured in the Media
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Trusted by Partners & Featured in the Media •
April 9, 2025
"HSOC Cyber Skills-First Fellowship - Certifed by Action, Not Just Paper!"
"HSOC Cyber Skills-First Fellowship - Certifed by Action, Not Just Paper!"
Cyber’s Future Program Featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show
Highlighting a Decade of Impact in Cybersecurity Education
The nationally recognized Cyber’s Future program - co-designed by Dr. Wesley Phillips (HSOC Cyber) and Cheryl Abram (Ypifany.org) in partnership with the non-profit Future Kings - were featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show .
The segment spotlighted Dr. Arik King, Executive Director of Future Kings, and Louis Lee, a standout Cyber’s Future student who began training at just age 12 years old. Now 17, Louis is a cybersecurity professional serving Prince William County and preparing to enter the U.S. Space Force.
Watch the Feature on YouTube: The Kelly Clarkson Show - Future Kings Feature. Skip to 3:45 to hear Louis’ story.
At HSOC Cyber, we’re proud to support programs that prove access + mentorship = limitless potential.
Partner With Us
Embed the HSOC360 Proving Grounds inside your organization with pilot or co-branding.
Launch a pilot in ~30 days
Embed micro-missions inside your curriculum or workforce program
Impact metrics that your leadership understands