Bridging the Cybersecurity Skills Gap Through Experiential Learning
Executive Summary
Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) launched the Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Intensive Training Program in early 2026 to address a critical need in the cybersecurity workforce: accessible, hands-on training in governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks. This 14-week cohort-based program provides early to mid-career professionals with practical experience typically available only through direct employment, helping to democratize access to high-demand cybersecurity specializations.
The Challenge
Industry Context
The cybersecurity industry faces several interconnected challenges:
Skills Gap in Specialized Roles: While technical cybersecurity skills like penetration testing and threat detection receive significant attention, governance, risk, and compliance expertise remains underserved in professional development offerings. These roles require understanding complex frameworks, regulatory requirements, and cross-functional business communication.
Barrier to Entry: GRC roles typically require experience that can only be gained on the job, creating a catch-22 for professionals seeking to enter or advance in this specialty. Traditional education provides theory but lacks the applied, real-world context that employers require.
Gender Disparity: Women remain significantly underrepresented in cybersecurity leadership positions, particularly in strategic roles like GRC where professionals must navigate technical requirements alongside business objectives and regulatory compliance.
Organizational Risk: As cyber threats evolve and regulatory requirements intensify, organizations need professionals who can translate technical controls into business language, assess organizational risk posture, and develop evidence-based security strategies.
The Gap
According to program founder Mea Clift, “GRC is the gateway to so many opportunities in a myriad of avenues in cybersecurity,” yet accessing quality education with hands-on experience has historically been challenging without being embedded in an organization doing the work daily.
The Solution
Program Design
The WiCyS GRC Intensive Training Program addresses these challenges through a comprehensive, experiential learning model:
Structure:
- 14-week cohort-based program
- Combines structured instruction with peer collaboration
- Incorporates real-world tools (including Compyl GRC platform)
- Provides industry feedback and mentorship
- Culminates in participants presenting organizational security postures
Curriculum Components:
- Core GRC principles and foundations
- NIST Risk Management Framework
- Policy development and documentation
- Control implementation and assessment
- Risk assessment and communication methodologies
- Evidence-based security maturity evaluation
Pedagogy: The program emphasizes learning by doing. Participants don’t just study frameworks—they apply them to realistic scenarios, develop actual policies, implement controls, and learn to communicate security posture to diverse stakeholders.
Target Audience
The program serves early to mid-career cybersecurity professionals, particularly women, who are seeking to:
- Transition into GRC specializations
- Strengthen governance and compliance capabilities
- Advance into leadership positions
- Gain practical experience beyond theoretical knowledge
Implementation
Timeline
- January 7-26, 2026: Application period for inaugural cohort
- February 23, 2026: Program launch
- June 25, 2026: Program completion
Delivery Model
The cohort-based approach creates a learning community where participants can collaborate, share experiences, and build professional networks while progressing through the curriculum together.
Leadership
Mea Clift, an experienced GRC professional with extensive background guiding organizations through complex risk management and compliance initiatives, designed and leads the program. Her practical experience ensures curriculum alignment with real enterprise needs.
Anticipated Impact
Individual Participant Level
Skills Development:
- Practical competency in widely-adopted GRC frameworks
- Ability to assess and communicate organizational risk
- Policy development and implementation experience
- Understanding of regulatory compliance requirements
- Confidence presenting security posture to stakeholders
Career Advancement:
- Enhanced qualifications for GRC-specific roles
- Demonstrated hands-on experience to complement theoretical knowledge
- Professional network within the cybersecurity community
- Clearer pathways to leadership positions
Transformation Arc: As Clift notes, participants typically progress “from only basic understanding at the beginning of the course to being able to present a security posture by the end,” with significant confidence gains throughout the journey.
Organizational Impact
Talent Pipeline: Organizations gain access to professionals with practical GRC experience who can contribute immediately, reducing onboarding time and training costs.
Diversity Benefits: By specifically supporting women in cybersecurity, the program helps organizations build more diverse teams, which research consistently links to improved decision-making and innovation.
Risk Management Capability: Trained GRC professionals help organizations better understand their security posture, identify vulnerabilities, prioritize remediation efforts, and demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.
Industry-Wide Effects
Workforce Development: The program contributes to addressing the broader cybersecurity talent shortage by creating pathways into specialized, high-demand roles.
Standard-Setting: By grounding training in established frameworks like NIST, the program reinforces industry standards and best practices.
Gender Equity Progress: Supporting women’s advancement in cybersecurity leadership roles helps address persistent gender disparities in the field.
Knowledge Democratization: Making practical GRC training accessible beyond those already employed in such roles reduces barriers to entry and promotes social mobility.
Measuring Success
Potential Metrics
Participant Outcomes:
- Completion rates
- Post-program employment in GRC roles
- Career advancement (promotions, role transitions)
- Salary increases
- Self-reported confidence and competency gains
- Portfolio quality and presentation capabilities
Program Quality:
- Participant satisfaction scores
- Industry partner feedback
- Alumni engagement and continued learning
- Application demand for subsequent cohorts
Broader Impact:
- Representation of program alumni in GRC leadership positions
- Industry recognition and adoption of program model
- Partnerships with employers seeking trained GRC professionals
- Influence on cybersecurity education standards
Critical Success Factors
What Makes This Program Different
Experiential Focus: Moving beyond lecture-based learning to hands-on application distinguishes this program from traditional cybersecurity education.
Community Building: The cohort model creates peer networks that extend beyond the program, providing ongoing professional support.
Practical Tools: Integration of actual GRC platforms like Compyl gives participants experience with tools they’ll use professionally.
Mission Alignment: WiCyS’s established commitment to women in cybersecurity provides credibility, resources, and community support.
Industry Relevance: Curriculum designed by practitioners ensures alignment with current employer needs and emerging industry trends.
Challenges and Considerations
Potential Obstacles
Scale: As a 14-week intensive program, capacity is inherently limited. Balancing quality with reach will be an ongoing consideration.
Accessibility: While the program aims to democratize GRC education, factors like time commitment, cost (though not specified in available materials), and prerequisite knowledge may still create barriers.
Measuring Long-Term Impact: Career advancement and industry change occur over years, making it challenging to attribute outcomes directly to program participation.
Keeping Current: Cyber threats, regulatory requirements, and best practices evolve rapidly. The curriculum must continuously adapt to remain relevant.
Strategic Implications
For WiCyS
This program represents a significant expansion of WiCyS’s professional development offerings, moving beyond conferences and networking into structured, intensive training. Success could lead to additional specialized programs and strengthen the organization’s position as a leader in cybersecurity workforce development.
For Employers
Organizations that partner with or recruit from the program gain access to professionals with practical GRC experience, potentially reducing training costs and time-to-productivity. Strategic partnerships could also shape curriculum to address specific industry needs.
For Cybersecurity Education
If successful, this model could influence how GRC and other specialized cybersecurity skills are taught, emphasizing experiential learning and real-world application over purely theoretical approaches.
Looking Forward
Scalability Opportunities
- Additional cohorts throughout the year
- Regional or international program expansion
- Specialized tracks for specific industries (healthcare, finance, government)
- Advanced programs for experienced GRC professionals
- Corporate partnership programs for employer-sponsored participants
Innovation Potential
- Integration of emerging technologies (AI, automation) into GRC practice
- Development of industry-recognized credentials or certifications
- Creation of an alumni network that serves as mentors and guest instructors
- Research initiatives to measure program impact and inform continuous improvement
Conclusion
The WiCyS GRC Intensive Training Program addresses a genuine gap in cybersecurity workforce development by providing accessible, hands-on training in governance, risk, and compliance. By focusing on experiential learning, supporting women’s career advancement, and aligning curriculum with real enterprise needs, the program has the potential to create meaningful impact at individual, organizational, and industry levels.
As Mea Clift articulates, GRC provides visibility into organizational security posture and the ability to explain risks and mitigation roadmaps through evidence-based information. By making this knowledge and practical experience accessible to early and mid-career professionals, WiCyS is helping to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity leaders while addressing critical skills shortages.
The program’s success will ultimately be measured not just by participant satisfaction, but by the career trajectories it enables, the organizational security improvements it facilitates, and its contribution to building a more diverse, capable cybersecurity workforce equipped to address evolving digital threats.
Key Takeaways
- Bridging Theory and Practice: The program addresses a critical gap by providing hands-on GRC experience typically only available through employment.
- Supporting Career Mobility: Targeted at early to mid-career professionals, the program creates pathways for advancement into leadership roles.
- Promoting Diversity: By specifically supporting women in cybersecurity, the program contributes to addressing persistent gender disparities in the field.
- Meeting Industry Demand: As organizations prioritize risk management and compliance, trained GRC professionals become increasingly valuable.
- Experiential Learning Model: The cohort-based, applied approach offers a replicable model for specialized cybersecurity education.
- Building Community: Beyond skills development, the program creates professional networks that support long-term career success.
For more information: https://www.wicys.org/benefits/grc-intensive-training-program/