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Directive 8140 · Workforce readiness

Your clearance is an asset. Your certification is the key.

DefendX Academy helps active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and veteran personnel turn military experience into a credentialed IT and cybersecurity career  starting with certifications recognized by the Department of Defense.

Explore Certifications
Start Your Journey
Approved baseline certifications

DoD 8570.01-M / 8140 pathway matrix

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who we serve

Three Routes. One Mission. A Career in Cybersecurity.

Where you start your journey may be different, but the destination can be the same. DefendX Academy helps service members, veterans, reservists, and organizations navigate the path to recognized IT and cybersecurity credentials with practical resources, trusted learning pathways, and career-focused guidance.

Planning your next chapter while serving? Turn the skills, experience, and security clearance you've earned in uniform into a recognized IT or cybersecurity credential that can open doors to your next career.

Active Duty & Transitioning

Active Duty & Transitioning

Your military experience has lasting value. DefendX Academy helps veterans and reservists identify certification pathways, training resources, and opportunities that connect their existing strengths to the growing IT and cybersecurity workforce.

Veterans & Reservists

Veterans & Reservists

Build stronger pathways for the military-connected workforce. Connect with qualified talent, training resources, educational partners, and certification pathways designed to support workforce readiness and cybersecurity skill development.

Organizations & Employers

Organizations & Employers
Learning

What the academy covers

all Learning
01.
IT Certifications

The sequence that actually works: foundation, security core, then a specialisation matched to the roles you want.

04.
Colleges & Universities

Degree routes that carry credit for certifications you already hold.

02.
DoD 8570 / 8140

The approved baseline certification for every workforce category and level, in one readable matrix.

05.
Professional Entities

Associations and organisations worth joining, and what each one is actually good for.

03.
Training Providers

Classroom and virtual providers, including those approved for VA education benefits.

06.
Certification Testing

How and where to book the exam, what it costs, and who will pay for it.

all sevices
Directive 8140

The requirement most people meet by accident

If you hold privileged access to a DoD system, your role carries a baseline certification requirement. Most transitioning personnel already meet part of it and do not know which part.

DoD 8570.01-M defined those requirements by category and level. Directive 8140 and Manual 8140.03 are replacing it with a work-role model drawn from the NICE framework. Both are in circulation during the transition, so we publish both.

Open the full matrix

Read this before you buy a course. The approved list changes. Confirm any certification against the current DoD Cyber Exchange listing and your own command’s guidance before you spend money on training.

  • IAT — technical roles, three levels
  • IAM — management roles, three levels
  • IASAE — architecture and engineering, three levels
  • CSSP — service provider roles, five specialities
Membership

Pick the level that matches your timeline

Membership funds the free resources and pays for the discounts we negotiate. Every tier includes the pathway guides.

Enlisted

$Free

For anyone starting out or still deciding.
  • All Certification Pathway Guides
  • DoD 8570 / 8140 Matrix
  • Provider & Testing Directories
  • Monthly Newsletter
Choose Plan

Career

$ 79 / year

For people with a separation date on the calendar.
  • Everything in Enlisted
  • Negotiated Training Discounts
  • Study Group Access
  • Resume & Interview Review
  • Early Access to Test Engines
Choose Plan

Organization

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For units, employers and veteran service organisations.
  • Seats for Your People
  • Cohort Tracking & Reporting
  • Dedicated Point of Contact
  • Partner Listing on This Site
Choose Plan
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Why DefendX Academy

Built for the Military-Connected Cybersecurity Journey

Your military experience already gives you a foundation. DefendX Academy helps you build on it with clear certification pathways, DoD 8570/8140 guidance, trusted training resources, and practical career information. Instead of searching across disconnected sources, find the information you need to understand your options, choose the right credential, and take the next step toward an IT or cybersecurity career.

Explore Your Path
Join DefendX Academy

Turn military experience into recognized IT and cybersecurity career opportunities.

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Our Mission

Our Mission

Provide trusted guidance for certifications, training, and career development.

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Our Commitment

Our Commitment

Create a clear pathway from military service to a successful cybersecurity career.

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Our Vision

Our Vision

Connect military talent with educators, employers, and the cybersecurity industry.

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Our Community

Our Community
In development

Coming to the academy

Four capabilities are being built now. Members are notified first.

In development

Test engines

Timed practice exams matched to current objectives, with score reporting by domain.

Open
In development

Cyber range

Hands-on lab environments you can break, reset and break again.

Open
In development

Job board

Postings from employers who understand clearances and military experience.

Open
In development

Resume builder

Translate your record into language a civilian hiring system will parse.

Open
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Learning Pathways

Explore certification, training, education, study, and career-focused pathways designed to support your IT and cybersecurity journey.

Coming Soon Platforms

DefendX Academy is preparing future tools including Test Engines, Cyber Range experiences, and Job Board & Resume Builder solutions.

In development

Coming to the academy

What is DefendX Academy?

DefendX Academy is a career and education resource designed to help active-duty service members, transitioning personnel, veterans, and reservists turn their military experience into opportunities in IT and cybersecurity.

Who can benefit from DefendX Academy?

Our resources are built for active-duty and transitioning service members, veterans, Guard and Reserve personnel, as well as organizations and employers looking to support military-connected cybersecurity talent.

How can my military experience help me build an IT or cybersecurity career?

Military experience can provide valuable technical, leadership, security, and operational skills. DefendX Academy helps you identify certification pathways that can strengthen those skills and translate your experience into career-ready credentials.

What certifications should I consider for a cybersecurity career?

The right certification depends on your experience, career goals, and target role. DefendX Academy focuses on recognized IT and cybersecurity certification pathways, including credentials relevant to DoD workforce requirements.

What are DoD 8570 and 8140, and why do they matter?

DoD 8570 and its successor framework, DoD 8140, relate to cybersecurity workforce qualification and readiness. Understanding these requirements can help military-connected professionals make more informed decisions about certifications and career pathways.

How do I get started with DefendX Academy?

Start by exploring the certification and career resources available through DefendX Academy. Identify your current experience and career goals, then explore the certification pathway that best aligns with your next mission.

Can I use my military experience toward a cybersecurity certification or career?

Yes. Your military background may provide valuable knowledge and experience that can support your transition into IT and cybersecurity. DefendX Academy helps you connect that experience with appropriate certification and training pathways.

Does DefendX Academy provide training and certification programs?

DefendX Academy is designed to provide trusted information, resources, pathways, and connections to help you navigate IT and cybersecurity education and certification. Specific training and certification opportunities may be available through partner organizations.

 

Can DefendX Academy help me choose the right certification?

Yes. Our certification resources are designed to help you understand different credentials, their relevance to cybersecurity careers, and how they can fit into your professional goals.

 

How can employers benefit from DefendX Academy?

Organizations can use DefendX Academy to better understand military-connected talent, workforce readiness, certification pathways, and opportunities to build stronger IT and cybersecurity talent pipelines.

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