What is the CyberForce® Program?
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) CyberForce® Program is a workforce development program that seeks to inspire and develop the next generation of cyber defenders for the energy sector through hands-on competitions, career and internship opportunity newsletters, webinars, podcasts, and learning resources. It strives to raise awareness of the nexus between critical infrastructure and cybersecurity through competitions that:
- Make critical thinking and soft skills key components,
- Focus on both OT and IT cyber skills,
- Value both individual and team balanced work,
- Emulate real-world energy scenarios, and
- Build self-confidence and enhance cyber skills.
How to Participate
The CyberForce Program offers collegiate students, professors, individuals, and organizations various opportunities to participate.
Collegiate Students enrolled in degree-seeking programs at U.S. colleges and universities
- Participate or promote participation in competitions throughout the year.
- In-person and virtual opportunities available.
- Follow career and internship opportunity newsletters to meet and network with various hiring organizations.
- Attend publicly available webinars to learn about the program and other topics.
Professors
- Mentor collegiate students and teams participating in CyberForce competitions.
- Attend publicly available webinars to learn about the program and other topics.
Industry Organizations
- Promote career and internship openings in our newsletters and host a booth at our in-person career fair to meet and share information about your company or organization with eager job seekers.
- Speak about your role on a webinar or podcast to spark interest.
- Volunteer in our competitions.
- Both technical and non-technical roles available.
2025 CyberForce Highlights
In 2025, the CyberForce Program supported over 1,100 participants throughout the calendar year from 127 unique academic institutions in 31 states and the District of Columbia. It hosted 3 competitions (two virtual and one in-person); promoted quarterly career and internship career opportunity newsletters; and published three podcasts. The CyberForce Program can help connect you with learning opportunities and bright talent.
CyberForce Program Offerings
CyberForce Competition®
The annual CyberForce Competition engages collegiate teams (4-6 students per team) in simulated energy cyber-focused scenarios centered on securing their operational technology.
Conquer the Hill® Competition Series
The Conquer the Hill series consists of virtual, individual-based competitions that test students’ knowledge and skills in particular cybersecurity areas under the National Institute for Standards and Technology National Initiative for Cyber Education (NIST NICE) Framework.
Career Opportunities
The CyberForce Program hosts an in-person career fair, where we welcome industry and government agencies to have a booth where they can speak about their organization and opportunities available. We also send out quarterly career and internship opportunity newsletters, highlighting partners and external organizations with current and upcoming openings.
Webinars & Podcasts
The CyberForce Program hosts webinars and podcasts that are focused on cyber and energy-related topics that provide information to the public about the program.