Specialized Career Tracks
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From foundational skills to a defined role
Cohort-based career tracks for defense-contractor and regulated teams: from foundational skills to a recognized credential and a defined role, mapped to DoD 8140 work roles where they apply, and taught live by practitioners who secure CUI and CMMC environments daily.
Training against a DoD 8140 requirement?
Start with a Workforce Readiness Assessment. We map each person to their DCWF work role and proficiency level, then recommend the track or credential that fits — checked against the current DoD qualification matrix.
Cyber Workforce Tracks
IT Support to Security
A+ prep → Network+ prep → Security+ prep.
Roles: Technical Support Specialist (411), Network Operations Specialist (441), System Administrator (451).
$499 per stage · 3 stages per track
$1,299 full track — save $198, no code needed.
Explore trackCyber Defense Analyst (SOC)
Security+ prep → SOC detection → incident response & CySA+ prep.
Roles: Cyber Defense Analyst (511), Incident Responder (531), Vulnerability Assessment Analyst (541).
Stages $499–$899 · 3 stages per track
$1,899 full track — save $398, no code needed.
Explore trackSecurity Manager (ISSM)
Security+ prep → running the security program → CISSP prep or CISM.
Roles: Information Systems Security Manager (722), Program Manager (801), IT Project Manager (802).
Stages $499–$999 · 3 stages per track
$1,999 full track — save $398, no code needed.
Explore trackAssessor & RMF/ATO
Assessment practice → RMF & ATO → CGRC prep, with CISA as the next step.
Roles: Security Control Assessor (612), Authorizing Official/Designating Representative (611), IT Program Auditor (805).
Stages $499–$899 · 3 stages per track
$1,899 full track — save $398, no code needed.
Explore trackGRC & IT Audit
CISA → CISM → AAIA / AAISM.
Roles: IS Auditor, IT Risk Manager, Security Manager, AI Auditor.
From $1,199 per live-virtual cohort, or $1,749 with the exam voucher. Delivered by VIS as an accredited ISACA Training Organization.
Explore trackEngineering Tracks
Secure Cloud & DevSecOps
Secure IaC → cloud security → certification.
Roles: DevSecOps Engineer, Cloud Security Engineer.
Stages $499–$899 · 3 stages per track
$1,899 full track — save $398, no code needed.
Explore trackSecure AI Engineering
Applied AI → AI/LLM security → production AI.
Roles: AI/LLM Security Engineer, Secure AI Infrastructure Engineer, MLOps/LLMOps Engineer.
Stages $499–$899 · 3 stages per track
$1,899 full track — save $398, no code needed.
Explore trackDefense Forward Deployed Engineer
Discovery & rapid delivery → shipping AI inside CUI boundaries → field capstone & Security+ prep.
Roles: Forward Deployed Engineer, Applied AI or Solutions Engineer on defense programs.
Stages $499–$999 · 3 stages per track
$2,199 full track — save $298, no code needed.
Explore trackFind Your Track by DCWF Work Role
Start from the work role your contract or position description names. The last column lists the certifications in the DoD 8140 matrix that the track prepares for.
| Work role | Track | Certifications in the 8140 matrix |
|---|---|---|
| 411 Technical Support Specialist | IT Support to Security | A+, Network+, Security+ |
| 441 Network Operations Specialist | IT Support to Security | Network+, Security+ |
| 451 System Administrator | IT Support to Security | A+, Network+, Security+ |
| 511 Cyber Defense Analyst | Cyber Defense Analyst (SOC) | Security+, CySA+ |
| 531 Cyber Defense Incident Responder | Cyber Defense Analyst (SOC) | Security+, CySA+ |
| 541 Vulnerability Assessment Analyst | Cyber Defense Analyst (SOC) | Security+, CySA+, CISA |
| 611 Authorizing Official/Designating Representative | Assessor & RMF/ATO | CGRC |
| 612 Security Control Assessor | Assessor & RMF/ATO | CGRC, CISA, CISSP, CISM, Security+ |
| 722 Information Systems Security Manager | Security Manager (ISSM) | Security+, CISSP, CISM |
| 801 Program Manager, 802 IT Project Manager | Security Manager (ISSM) | CISSP, CISM |
| 805 IT Program Auditor | GRC & IT Audit | CISA, CISM, CGRC |
Based on the DoD 8140 qualification matrix (version 2.1, effective 19 September 2025). The proficiency level a certification satisfies differs by work role, and your contract sets what applies, so we confirm it person by person in a Workforce Readiness Assessment. A certification covers foundational qualification only; resident (on-the-job) qualification and at least 20 hours a year of continuous professional development can also apply.
How Pricing Works
Published prices are for individual seats in our scheduled live-virtual cohorts.
- Beginner stages are $499. Advanced stages, such as CySA+, CISSP and CGRC preparation, are $899–$999.
- A full three-stage track costs less than buying the stages one by one, with no code needed.
- Code FALL10 takes 10% off beginner stages.
- Teams of three or more get team pricing, and private cohorts are quoted per cohort.
- Cohorts run once a minimum number of participants enroll. If yours doesn’t fill, we move you to the next date or refund you in full.
- Exam vouchers are bought separately, except in the ISACA all-inclusive package.
For Teams
Qualify a contract team
A Workforce Readiness Assessment maps each person to a DCWF work role and shows the gap. We then run private cohorts of the tracks above, timed to your contract or proposal, as part of Defense Cyber Workforce Readiness.
Corporate training →Build an FDE bench
Private Defense Forward Deployed Engineer cohorts for defense contractors, integrators and AI companies serving government customers, built around your platform and your customers’ CUI, cloud and ATO requirements.
Plan a team cohort →Questions
CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ and CySA+ are trademarks of CompTIA. CISSP and CGRC are trademarks of ISC2. CISA, CISM, AAIA and AAISM are trademarks of ISACA.
Are these DoD 8140-approved courses?
No course is 8140-approved. DoD 8140 qualifies people by work role and proficiency level. A certification listed in the DoD qualification matrix is one way to meet foundational qualification; our tracks prepare people for those certifications, and a Workforce Readiness Assessment confirms what each person needs.
Is the CompTIA and ISC2 exam preparation official?
No. VIS builds and teaches its own preparation material for CompTIA and ISC2 exams and is not a CompTIA or ISC2 training partner. Exam vouchers are bought separately. ISACA courses are delivered by VIS as an accredited ISACA Training Organization.
Can my employer pay?
Yes. Choose Invoice my employer on the registration form and we will issue a purchase-order invoice. Teams of three or more can arrange group pricing and private cohorts.