Justice Department Announces New Cyber Fellowship Program

The Justice Department announced the creation of a new Cyber Fellowship program Friday aimed at developing skills for prosecutors and attorneys to handle emerging national security threats.

The three-year fellowships will provide attorneys with real-world experience in national security and criminal cyber threats, rotating those selected through several Justice Department components, including the Criminal and National Security divisions and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.

“As we have witnessed this past year, cyber threats pose a significant and increasing risk to our national security, our economic security, and our personal security,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. “We need to develop the next generation of prosecutors with the training and experience necessary to combat the next generation of cyber threats. This Fellowship gives attorneys a unique opportunity to gain the well-rounded experience they need to tackle the full range of those threats.”

The fellowship stems from a recommendation made through the Justice Department’s ongoing cyber review. The program will be coordinated through the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. According to the announcement, selected fellows “can expect to investigate and prosecute state-sponsored cyber threats; transnational criminal groups; infrastructure and ransomware attacks; and the use of cryptocurrency and money laundering to finance and profit from cyber-based crimes.”

Incoming fellows must agree to three-year commitments, be able to secure a top secret security clearance and will be based in the Washington, D.C. area. Cyber Fellowship applications will be accepted through the Justice Department’s Honors Program portal.

The deadline for candidates to apply is Sept. 8.