US DoJ announces the creation of Cyber Fellowship Program

The US DoJ announced a new Cyber Fellowship program for training prosecutors and attorneys on cybersecurity.

The US DoJ announced a new Cyber Fellowship program for training selected prosecutors and attorneys on cyber threat and threat actors.

The course is coordinated through the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.

The training aims at personnel from various departments which are focused on cyber defense, such as the Criminal Division or the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.

The training will provide details about cybersecurity-related cases such as operations of state-sponsored threat actors and cybercrime organizations and related TTPs.

“Today, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced the creation of a new Cyber Fellowship program, designed to develop a new generation of prosecutors and attorneys equipped to handle emerging national security threats.” reads the announcement published by DoJ. “Fellows can expect to investigate and prosecute state-sponsored cyber threats; transnational criminal groups; infrastructure and ransomware attacks; and the use of cryptocurrency and money laundering to finance and profit from cyber-based crimes.”

The program will require all trainees to secure a Top Secret security clearance and commit for the entire duration of the program (three years). The training will be held in the Washington, D.C. area.

“As we have witnessed this past year, cyber threats pose a significant and increasing risk to our national security, our economic security, and our personal security,” said Deputy Attorney General Monaco. “We need to develop the next generation of prosecutors with the training and experience necessary to combat the next generation of cyber threats. This Fellowship gives attorneys a unique opportunity to gain the well-rounded experience they need to tackle the full range of those threats.”

The DoJ also states the trainees may be extended or converted to permanent positions without further competition. The participants may also reapply to the Honors Program in a subsequent year or may apply for permanent positions within the department.

The deadline for prosecutors and attorneys to take part in the Cyber Fellowship program is September 8.

Personnel interested into the program could apply it through the Justice Department’s Honors Program application portal. Applicants to this year’s Honors Program should indicate if they would like to be considered for the Cyber Fellowship.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, FIN8)