Indiana Cybersecurity Pathway

Indiana is the first state in the nation to build a statewide cybersecurity pathway connecting high school coursework directly to college, careers, and military enlistment. Launched in May 2026 and led by the Indiana Department of Education, the initiative unites K-12 schools, higher education, employers, and the Indiana National Guard around one goal: preparing Hoosier students for one of the most urgent workforce needs of our time.

Cyber attacks are growing in number and sophistication, touching schools, hospitals, utilities, businesses, and national security. Indiana has more than 20,000 open cybersecurity roles — and filling them with homegrown talent starts in our high schools.

Students in the pathway earn high school and college credit, gain work-based learning experience, and build a stackable credential that launches them into college, a high-demand career, or service in the Indiana National Guard. Behind them stands a true cross-sector partnership — higher education, employers, the military, and education partners including College Board and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) — all working together to drive opportunity for Hoosier students.

How the Pathway Works

The cybersecurity pathway follows the same structure as every career pathway in Indiana: students begin with a principles course, build skills through concentrator coursework, and finish with a capstone experience.

It's flexible. Schools can build the pathway through PLTW, AP, dual credit, or a combination — in the sequence that fits their staffing and schedule.
It's funded. Pathway courses sit within Indiana's CTE pathways.
It counts. Pathway coursework is eligible under the new Indiana Diploma — and supports students earning each of Indiana's readiness seals.

One Pathway, Three Destinations

Indiana's new diploma asks every student to aim at what comes next — enrollment, employment, or enlistment leading to service. Most career pathways point toward one of those destinations. The cybersecurity pathway was built for all three: a single sequence of courses can position a student to earn any of Indiana's readiness seals — or more than one — and behind each destination stands a partner ready to help students get there.

Enlistment and Service. Through the Indiana National Guard partnership, students gain direct access to the externally verified military mentorship this seal requires — along with ASVAB preparation and career exploration in the Guard's cybersecurity specialties.
Employment. Completing three cybersecurity pathway courses meets a core requirement of the Honors Employment Seal outright. Industry certifications earned in the pathway count as credentials of value, and work-based learning with employer partners builds the seal's required hours.
Enrollment. AP courses with corresponding exams and dual credit — both built into the pathway — are qualifying coursework for the Honors Enrollment Seal. Students pursuing the Honors Plus Seal, which guarantees admission to Indiana's public colleges and universities and many private institutions, can earn the required credential of value through multiple options, including postsecondary credentials, embedded industry certifications, or AP Scholar with Distinction.

The Partnership

Led by the Indiana Department of Education, this initiative brings together partners from every sector a student's pathway touches — each with a distinct role:

State Leadership & Service

Education Partners

Industry & Workforce Partners

Getting Started

No school builds this pathway alone. Whether you're adding a single course or launching a full pathway, partners are ready to help you plan around your staffing, schedule, and students.