McKonly & Asbury Launches SkillBridge Cybersecurity Training Program
Key Takeaways
- New SkillBridge Partnership: McKonly & Asbury is now an authorized DoD SkillBridge industry partner, offering cybersecurity internships to transitioning service members.
- CMMC Certification Training: Participants will earn the Certified CMMC Professional (CCP) credential through online instruction and hands-on experience.
- Remain on Active Duty: Service members continue receiving full military pay and benefits while completing the internship.
- Real-World Experience: Interns gain practical experience supporting a CMMC Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), and the program emphasizes both technical and professional development.
- Veteran Career Advantage: With over 500,000 open cybersecurity roles nationwide, the program gives veterans a strong foothold in a high-demand field.
- Apply Now: Open to all ranks and specialties within six months of separation – participants may be considered for full-time roles post-internship.
The Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge program connects transitioning service members with industry partners for hands-on training and internships. We’re excited to announce that McKonly & Asbury is now an authorized SkillBridge industry partner, offering a cybersecurity “internship” to active-duty military in their final months of service. As of January 2, 2025, our firm is a newly designated Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) – meaning our team is authorized in conducting official DoD cybersecurity assessments. Participants will study to become Certified CMMC Professionals (CCP), gaining real assessment experience in the process. The training and certification come at no cost to the service members, since they remain on active duty and continue to receive their military pay and benefits. In addition to technical instruction, the program emphasizes professional development (communication, teamwork, problem-solving, etc.) to ease the transition from military to civilian work life.
Why Our Program Is a Great Fit for Veterans
There are over half a million open cybersecurity positions in the U.S. right now, making it one of the fastest-growing career fields with excellent pay. Importantly, our SkillBridge program prepares trainees for the DoD’s CMMC – a standardized framework for protecting defense data. With the CMMC framework in its final stages of becoming mandatory for defense contractors, earning the CCP credential through our firm’s program gives veterans an early foothold in a high-demand sector of the cybersecurity field.
Program Highlights
- CMMC Certification Training: Participants will earn the Certified CMMC Professional (CCP) credential through an online training program.
- Mentorship & Soft Skills: Trainees build career-ready skills, like communication, leadership, and teamwork.
- Paid Internship: The training is structured as a full-time internship – service members stay on active duty and continue receiving their regular military pay and benefits while training.
- Career Opportunities: Participants gain resume-building experience and may be offered permanent positions at McKonly & Asbury.
Meet Our Program Leader: Michael Murray
The point of contact for the program is Michael (Mike) Murray, a Supervisor and one of the founding members of our CMMC C3PAO team. Mike is a Certified CMMC Assessor (CCA) and former U.S. Army Human Intelligence Collector. He served nearly ten years in the Army, including two tours in Iraq, before joining McKonly & Asbury in 2022. As a combat veteran who successfully transitioned to civilian life himself, Mike understands the challenges service members face. He will mentor each trainee, providing both technical guidance in cybersecurity and coaching on the soft skills needed to succeed in a corporate work environment.
Join Our Program
Are you an active-duty service member within 6 months of separation? Contact Mike Murray, CCA to learn how to apply. This opportunity is open to all ranks and specialties. Trainees will receive high-value cyber training completely free of charge, plus real-world experience at a growing CPA firm. Please share this information with anyone in uniform who might be interested – together we can help veterans transition into meaningful careers!
About the Author
Mike joined McKonly & Asbury in 2022 and is currently a Supervisor with the firm. He is a member of the firm’s Internal Audit Segment, servicing clients in government and commercial segments. Mike is also a one of the founding members of our CMMC C3PAO assessment team.
