Late last year, we talked with former Tenable executives and current Gula Tech Foundation leaders Ron and Cyndi Gula about a new initiative to award $1M to nonprofits working to increase diversity in cybersecurity. 

Today, the Columbia-based foundation announced the 11 finalists for the three funding awards, which will be announced on March 9 during a webinar. Register here, and check out the finalists below:

• America on Tech, an early pipeline talent accelerator.
• Aspen Institute, which offers programming on institutional practices and public service.
• Black Cybersecurity Association, which creates a multigenerational pipeline of qualified professionals to enter the workplace and has more than 2,000 cybersecurity mentors.
• Cyber Readiness Institute, which offers programs to help small to medium-sized businesses protect data, employees, vendors and customers.
• CyberUp, which runs cybersecurity apprentice programs and capture the flag-style games for youth.
• Girl Security, which provides multi-disciplinary, equity-informed programming through a model where young women are "Secured, Empowered, and Advanced."
• Innovation Tech Academy, which offers a curriculum that promotes appropriate and proper technology and digital citizenship.
• International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals,  which works with the underrepresented, unemployed, career changers, students, and existing professionals wishing to transition into cybersecurity.
• Mission Fulfilled 2030, a K-12 Young Tech Entrepreneurs Program that engages Black youth through video games, social media and cybersecurity.
• NPower Inc, which offers a cybersecurity program combining full-time virtual classroom training and a paid internship.
• University of Maryland Global Campus Foundation, which has participated in several capacity-building grant opportunities that support enhancing the cybersecurity expertise of African Americans and other underrepresented populations.

—Stephen Babcock, Assistant Editor, Technical.ly (stephen@technical.ly)