Cybersecurity Certification Program
A free, needs-based pathway to industry certification. Paired with a mentor, start to finish.
The Von Terra Project's Certification project, part of our Career program, removes the financial and accessibility barriers that keep capable people out of the cybersecurity workforce. Every candidate is paired with a mentor and a structured roadmap, from application through their first industry credential. At no cost.
Every candidate starts at entry level, on a certification aligned to the DoD 8140 Cyberspace Workforce Qualification Program (which superseded the older DoD 8570 issuance). Which specific certification depends on the direction you're heading. Your Certification Program Manager maps that during onboarding: see Certification Tracks below for the paths VTP funds.
The Candidate Journey
How Candidates Are Selected
Weighted Intake Scoring
Applications are scored out of 100 points across three weighted categories, so the program prioritizes candidates facing the greatest financial and social need.
No Minimum Score
Applications are ranked on need, not measured against a cutoff. Candidates not selected in a round roll forward to the next one rather than having to reapply.
Funding and Mentors Both Set the Size
How many candidates VTP takes is limited by the funding available for exam vouchers and by the capacity our mentor pool has offered. Whichever is smaller governs. We don't select more candidates than we can both fund and mentor.
Applications Stay Open
There is no window to miss. Selection runs twice a year, in October and April, and everything received before a selection date is considered in that round. Selected candidates have 10 business days to confirm before an alternate is contacted.
Certification Tracks
Three entry-level paths. Your Certification Program Manager maps you to the one that fits during onboarding.
IT Support
CompTIA A+, then Network+. The classic on-ramp into help desk, technical support, and system administration work.
Cyber Defense
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity, then GIAC's GFACT and GISF. Aimed at cyber defense analyst and security-operations work.
Incident Response
GIAC's GCIH. A stretch step after Cyber Defense, not a first purchase: it costs more and opens a narrower set of entry-level roles on its own.
All three tracks stay at DoD 8140's Basic proficiency level, chosen because each has no hard prerequisite and a documented path for VTP to fund it directly. Certifications like CompTIA Security+ sit at DoD's Intermediate level and are a strong second certification once a track is complete, not where VTP starts a candidate.
Apply
Applications are reviewed twice a year, in October and April. There's no cost to apply, and no cost to participate. VTP provides study materials and a mentor to every selected candidate, and sponsors the exam voucher once the candidate clears the Go/No-Go practice-exam gate.
Selected candidates are paired with a volunteer mentor through the Cybersecurity Mentorship Program, which explains how the two programs fit together end to end. Being selected does not entitle you to a specific certification. The Certification Program Manager interviews each selected candidate and maps them to the route that fits their background.