**Education:** Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline (recent graduate or graduating within the current academic cycle).
**Foundational Knowledge:** Basic understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals, network concepts (TCP/IP, ports, protocols), and standard operating system concepts.
**Hands-On Exposure:** Academic, internship, or project-based experience navigating and administering **Linux** and/or **Windows** operating systems.
**Certifications:** Current DoD 8570 / 8140 IAT Level II baseline certification (e.g., **CompTIA Security+ CE** , CySA+, or CCNA Security) or active progress toward one.
**Tool Familiarity:** Classroom, lab, or internship experience with vulnerability scanners (ACAS/Nessus), SCAP tools, or SIEM platforms (e.g., Splunk).
**Framework Awareness:** Exposure to NIST SP 800-53 security controls, Risk Management Framework (RMF), or DISA STIG benchmarks.
**Virtualization & Scripting:** Basic familiarity with shell scripting (Bash, PowerShell, or Python) and virtualization platforms (KVM, VMware, or VirtualBox).
**Hands-on Projects:** Participation in collegiate cyber defense competitions (e.g., CCDC, CTFs), student engineering clubs, or personal homelab environments.
