INCAP ADULT CAREER PROGRAM
Cybersecurity Associate
Protect organizations from threats, and get paid while you learn.
The INCAP Cybersecurity Associate Career Program prepares adults for Indiana’s hardest-to-fill technology role — security operations — as a full-time paid employee of a real Indiana employer. You’ll learn to monitor security alerts, investigate potential threats, protect systems and data, and support incident response alongside experienced security professionals.
- Learn cybersecurity operations through real work experience
- Monitor and investigate security alerts and suspicious activity
- Help protect user accounts, devices, networks, cloud systems, and data
- Use modern tools, including AI-assisted security workflows, safely and compliantly
2 years
LENGTH
40
HOURS PER WEEK
$17–25/hr
TRAINEE PAY
Business offices
SETTING
What You’ll Earn
- INCAP credential — recognized by TechIndiana and technology employers across Indiana as equivalent to an associate degree in an IT- or technology-related field
- Two years of paid, full-time experience with an Indiana employer
- Optional industry certification: CompTIA Security+ (supplemental — program completion is based on demonstrated competency)
- College credit toward a related degree program, where accepted
Is This Program Right for You?
This could be a great fit if you…
- Enjoy investigating problems and figuring out what went wrong
- Are detail-oriented and comfortable following structured processes
- Like learning new tools and adapting to emerging technologies
- Want a career that combines technology, security, and critical thinking
What You’ll Actually Do
The work is real from day one. Across two years, trainees build competency in these areas:
ALERT MONITORING
Help identify potential threats
- Review security alerts from monitoring tools and platforms
- Prioritize alerts by severity, confidence, and business impact
- Document findings using established workflows
SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS
Gather and analyze information
- Investigate unusual account activity, device behavior, and network events
- Connect information from multiple systems to build a picture of an incident
- Identify common threats such as phishing, malware, and credential theft
RESPONSE & CONTAINMENT
Help protect systems, accounts, and information
- Follow approved response procedures and security playbooks
- Support account resets, device isolation, and access revocation
- Assist with incident response under supervision
REMEDIATION SUPPORT
Help reduce security risks
- Track vulnerabilities and remediation efforts
- Assist with security reviews of devices, systems, and cloud resources
- Support continuous improvement of security practices
DOCUMENTATION & REPORTING
Stay organized and effective
- Maintain accurate tickets, evidence, and investigation notes
- Prepare summaries and reports for security and business teams
- Communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders
AI-AUGMENTED SECURITY
Use modern tools responsibly
- Use approved AI tools to speed triage and analysis
- Validate AI-generated findings before acting
- Recognize when an issue needs escalation to a senior analyst
Typical Program Timeline
Every week, all two years
About 30 hours at your employer doing real work, plus 10 paid hours of online Intercompany Training Center (ICC) instruction delivered by TechIndiana with Awesome People Leaders and Ivy Tech Community College.
Months 1–6
Orientation, foundations coursework, and supervised work on live tasks. Weekly cohort sessions with other INCAP trainees.
Months 7–18
Growing responsibility at your employer. Competencies are evaluated through work cases and supervisor rubrics.
Months 19–24
Independent ownership of real work and a final portfolio and project that demonstrates full program competency.
Trainees are full-time employees paid $17–25 per hour for all 40 hours. 4,160 program hours over two years: 3,120 on the job and 1,040 in ICC instruction.
At completion, you have three options
- Continue with your employer in a full professional role
- Go to college, potentially faster, with credit for your INCAP credential
- Continue with another INCAP Career Program
Real Jobs This Program Prepares You For
Common roles INCAP graduates are prepared for include:
- Security Analyst
- Incident Responder
- Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
- Vulnerability Analyst
- Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Analyst
- Cloud Security Associate
- And many more
Program Documents
Official INCAP occupation materials, published by the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway:
Full occupation page on IndianaCAP.org: Cybersecurity Associate (Adult)
Common Questions
What can I expect to earn during the program?
Trainees typically earn $17 to $25 per hour, set by the employer, for all 40 hours a week — including the 10 hours of ICC instruction. Trainees are employees, so they fall under their employer’s policies for benefits, performance reviews, and raises.
When can I begin, and how long does it last?
Positions are two-year, full-time jobs with a participating employer. Openings are posted as employers create them — most often in January and summer — on the TechIndiana job board. Express interest and we’ll let you know when a position opens near you.
What does a typical week look like?
About 30 hours of real work at your employer plus 10 paid hours of online Intercompany Training Center (ICC) instruction, every week for two years. ICC coursework is delivered by TechIndiana with Awesome People Leaders and Ivy Tech Community College, one Ivy Tech course at a time, with a weekly cohort session alongside other INCAP trainees.
Do I need prior experience or classes?
No prior security experience is required. Self-paced online courses in IT fundamentals and cybersecurity basics are encouraged before or alongside the program.
What will I earn when I finish?
An INCAP credential, recognized by TechIndiana and technology employers across Indiana as equivalent to an associate degree in the field. It may also count toward college credit in a related degree program. CompTIA Security+ is available as an optional supplemental certification.
What is the work environment like?
Security and IT teams in business offices. Not every security responsibility requires a senior analyst: alert triage, initial investigation, playbook execution, evidence preservation, and remediation tracking are built as associate-level capabilities under appropriate supervision.
What skills will I learn?
Security monitoring and threat detection. Identity and access security. Endpoint, network, cloud, and data protection. Incident response and vulnerability management. Documentation and evidence handling. Responsible use of AI in security operations. Professional communication and teamwork.
What jobs can this lead to?
Security analyst, incident responder, SOC analyst, vulnerability analyst, GRC analyst, and cloud security associate. Many trainees continue with their employer in a full professional role.
Can I keep my current job?
This is a full-time position with the participating employer, so it replaces rather than supplements a full-time job. If you already work for a participating employer, you can move into the program as an incumbent employee — INCAP serves new entrants, career changers, incumbent workers, and veterans alike.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Adult positions are posted as employers open them — most often in January and summer. Tell us you’re interested and we’ll let you know when a position opens near you. Employers: this is also where you start.
TechIndiana leads the Tech/IT Industry Talent Association for INCAP, the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway. Program questions: Jeni McIntosh-Elkins, jeni@techindiana.org · Dennis Trinkle, dennis@techindiana.org