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The nation’s supply chain is at risk. Cybersecurity readiness is part of the problem.

Governments and corporations are handing down new rules for contractors in 2023.

Protect your business. Protect your clients.

The CyberReadyMBE Cohort 2 is now closed.  If you are interested in participating in Cohort 3, please fill out the registration form and submit.  We will reach out once a date for Cohort 3 has been established.  Feel free to send us questions at info@nmsdc-iws.com

 Register for the CyberReadyMBE® Designation

Ensure your business is prepared.

The U.S. government and corporations now mandate its partners to adhere to a certain set of protocols ensuring their cybersecurity. The National Minority Supplier Development Council and its corporate sponsors are partnering with Industry Workforce Solutions to bring CyberReadyMBE®, a critical infrastructure training, to the council’s certified minority business enterprises (MBEs). 

The NMSDC and its corporate members recognize the CyberReadyMBE® designation as basic cyber hygiene as well as foundational preparation for various cyber assessment tools, including the Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), the Department of Energy’s Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (C2M2) program, the finance sector’s Sarbanes-Oxley controls, the NIST framework, and others. 

By participating, Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) will join a select group of CyberReady® companies positioned to gain new business in an increasingly cyber-regulated marketplace.

Self-Paced  | Rolling Enrollment | Free to Certified MBEs

6 - Sessions

Virtual & Self-Paced

Virtual Cyber Summit:

February 21, 2023

Instructor-Led Module Discussion

March 14 March 28
April 11 April 25 TBA

View the full program schedule »

To make this program available to all certified MBEs nationwide, there will be a series of opportunities to take the CyberReadyMBE® course. Check with your local affiliate and the NMSDC office for available dates. 

Program fees for certified MBEs are provided by the corporate sponsors. The Cyber Gap Assessment fees will be paid for by MBE (nominal fee of $1,000). 

Benefits of the CyberReadyMBE® Designation Program

  • Protect your company from cybercrimes by obtaining a cybersecurity pathway to close cyber gaps
  • Earn a CyberReadyMBE® designation that is recognized by NMSDC corporate members
  • Align your cyber readiness with Department of Defense guidelines, leading to government contracting opportunities
  • Build opportunities with federal and corporate stakeholders

Badges Available

CyberReadyMBE® Certificate of Completion

Badge holders have successfully completed all CyberReadyMBE® modules. This earner has working knowledge of cyber hygiene and cyber readiness for promoting a safe environment. Additionallly, this earner can define the seventeen cybersecurity practices and six cybersecurity domains standard in the federal and corporate guidelines. This earner has knowledge to draft a companywide System Support Program (SSP).

CyberReadyMBE® Designation

This badge is formally endorsed by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NSMDC) corporate members and represents that an Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) has demonstrated Level 1 cyber readiness. This badge represents full cyber compliance as according to federal and corporate guidelines.

February 21, 2023: Cyber Summit
  • – Hear from experts from industry, academia, and federal and state supporters on initiatives across the nation.
  • – Learn how critical it is for MBEs to play a role in the nation’s goal to create a safer, stronger, and cyber-ready supply chain.
  • – Learn from corporations and government on the need for MBEs to be cyber ready and what is required.
March 14, 2023: Fundamentals of Cybersecurity Readiness
  • – Learn what it takes to be compliant with federal and corporate standards.
  • – Identify your unique risks and gaps in compliance.
  • – Create an action plan for achieving compliance.
March 28, 2023: Workforce Capabilities and Readiness
  • – Determine your unique workforce needs.
  • – Identify your gaps in workplace roles and how to address them.
  • – Learn about the roles and responsibilities needed for a cyber-ready workplace.
April 11, 2023: Doing Business with Government and Corporations
  • – Learn how the CyberReadyMBE® designation aligns with government and corporate standards.
  • – Understand the process of doing business with federal and corporate members.
  • – Corporate representatives will attend the session to recruit new MBEs.
April 25, 2023: Matchmaking and Leveraging Resources
  • – Learn how to leverage your new CyberReadyMBE® designation to increase business potential and cultivate new relationships.
  • – Corporate sponsors and supporters will attend this session and virtual recruitment fair.

The solution needs help from all sides:

MBEs

Learn about cyber threats | Earn designation | Land new business | Protect yourself

Corporate and Government

Diversify your supplier network | Participate in strengthening the national supply chain.
| Support corporate diversity and inclusion efforts

NMSDC and its corporate sponsors are partnering with Industry Workforce Solutions to bring CyberReadyMBE® to its members.