Leading Universities and Cybersecurity Experts Partner to Address Urgent Need for Secure Software Development

A unique coalition of top-ranked universities, community colleges and cybersecurity organizations has launched an innovative new educational initiative to improve the country’s software security: The “Strengthen Workforce Education for Excellence in Programming Securely” (SWEEPS) program. 

SWEEPS is funded by a grant from the National Centers for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). SWEEPS online courses, bootcamps and certificate programs bridge the skills gap in software security by equipping developers with the knowledge and tools to enhance code security without compromising efficiency—a critical need as global cyber threats continue to escalate. 

“The software that runs our country’s infrastructure and computer systems is vulnerable to attack,” said Matt Bishop, the SWEEPS program’s principal investigator and a computer science professor at the University of California, Davis. “We’re trying to change that. By providing intensive, hands-on training in secure software development, SWEEPS helps programmers defend against cyber criminals and ‘bad actors’ who exploit vulnerabilities in our computer systems.” 

Participants who are accepted receive full scholarships from the grant that cover enrollment costs. The program serves U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a priority to applicants with military or first responder backgrounds. More program details, including scholarship information, is available at Secure Programming Training for Software Developers | UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. 

SWEEPS offers online training for students and professionals at all stages of their career, from entry-level developers and career changers to experienced IT professionals. SWEEPS options for learners include one-day workshops, self-paced courses, week-long intensive bootcamps and full certificate programs. SWEEPS subject matter includes: 

• Key concepts and principles of secure programming, including common security misconceptions and proactive security practices 
• The latest data security standards and how to reduce security vulnerabilities that leave software, systems and infrastructure open to cyberattacks 
• Compliance and legal requirements in secure programming and cybersecurity 
• Advanced security topics, including hands-on analysis of vulnerabilities, exploits and defense mechanisms 

The SWEEPS program curriculum was developed by an industry-leading coalition of national universities and cybersecurity organizations: 

• University of California, Davis
• University of Maryland Baltimore County 
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute 
• California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 
• Cosumnes River College 
• DARK Enterprises, Inc.
• StrongAuth, Inc. 

For more information about SWEEPS, visit Secure Programming Training for Software Developers | UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education.