Centene and CyberUp Empower Veterans and Military Spouses for Cybersecurity Careers

At Centene, we’re proud to partner with CyberUp, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the cybersecurity workforce. Together, we’re helping close the talent gap  by empowering individuals, including veterans and military spouses, with skills and experiences  to succeed in the  fast-growing cybersecurity industry.

CyberUp’s Mission: Creating Pathways to Cybersecurity Careers

Founded in 2015, CyberUp aims to ignite curiosity, develop talent, and build career pathways for individuals interested in cybersecurity, especially veterans and military spouses.

"CyberUp matches people who want to be part of the cyber career field with companies like Centene, and gives them the core skills they need to succeed,” notes Alan Berry, Centene’s Chief Information Security Officer. “We also help promote the value of the apprenticeship program which results in a win-win for both the individuals and the companies that hire them."

CyberUp’s LevelUp Training Program equips participants with the skills needed for roles like cybersecurity analyst, data security, and cloud infrastructure.

Real-Life Impact

"We focus very heavily on veterans and military spouses, notes Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp. “The massive demand for cybersecurity talent in our country is struggling to create enough trained and skilled people to fill these roles. Our job at CyberUp is to make those pathways happen. The partnership we have with Centene has been incredible. I’ve seen lives change time and time again. I take a lot of pride in seeing those moments happen."

The impact of the CyberUp program can be seen through the journeys of its apprentices and graduates.

"In 2021, I was going through the transition assistance program with the U.S. Air Force. I had a great interest in cybersecurity and computers, notes Elliot Thompson, an IT Demand Analyst at Centene. “CyberUp gave me in-depth knowledge and practical experience through workshops and labs. Without their apprenticeship program, I wouldn’t have been able to land the position I have now. I’m exactly where I was supposed to be."

Apprenticeship candidate and veteran Lorie Gadell found that her role didn’t translate as well as she thought it would once she separated from the military.

"I was in the military from 1995-1999 as a supply sergeant, but when I transitioned out, my military job didn’t translate into the civilian workforce as well as I had hoped,” she says. “After joining CyberUp, I found a new career path in cybersecurity, and I’m absolutely loving it. I wanted a stable career in something that’s not going to go away."

Centene’s Commitment to Veterans and Military Spouses

At Centene, we believe in creating opportunities for veterans and military spouses to thrive at work and at home. As part of our partnership with CyberUp, we provide apprenticeship opportunities and real-world experience for graduates.

More than 80% of CyberUp graduates successfully transition into cybersecurity roles, including positions in information security, infrastructure security, and cloud security. Centene is proud to be part of this solution, empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.