Two (2) students will be selected to each receive a $1,250 scholarship award.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be currently enrolled as a college undergraduate or graduate student in a U.S. accredited institution

• Major in one of the following fields:

  • Cybersecurity

  • Information Assurance

  • Information Science

• Identify as part of a historically underrepresented and/or under-resourced community

• Have a minimum GPA of 3.5

To be considered, applicants must submit:

• Completed application form

• One (1) letter of recommendation

• Academic transcript (official or unofficial)

• Personal essay (see prompt below)

Cybersecurity has traditionally relied on human judgment augmented by technical tools. The integration of increasingly autonomous AI systems is beginning to reshape that relationship, introducing new capabilities alongside new uncertainties.

Critically evaluate this shift. How is increasing autonomy in cybersecurity systems redefining the balance between control, efficiency, and risk? In what ways might this evolution strengthen or weaken organizational resilience?

In your response, consider technical, ethical, and strategic dimensions, and discuss the key tensions or trade-offs organizations must navigate as these systems become more autonomous. Support your analysis with relevant examples.