Microsoft is teaming up with Mastercard, Workday and the public sector to support the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.

Judge as of 2019-04-09. True: dated Microsoft announcements or reliable reports from around that date show Microsoft announcing a cybersecurity talent or education initiative together with Mastercard, Workday and at least one public-sector body (government, public agency or public education institution), aimed at training or developing future cybersecurity professionals. Mostly true: the initiative existed and involved Microsoft with Mastercard and Workday, but a minor detail differs, for example the public-sector partner was a quasi-public body or the focus was broader than cybersecurity leaders only. Mixed: an initiative existed but only some of the named partners (for example one of Mastercard or Workday, or no public-sector partner) were involved. Mostly false: Microsoft had a related cybersecurity skills effort, but it was not a joint effort with these partners. False: the evidence shows no such partnership existed or was announced around that time.

Set before the research began.

1. E1 Mastercard joins cybersecurity talent initiative - finextra.com Finextra · 9 April 2019

   “Mastercard, in collaboration with Microsoft, Workday and the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service today launched the Cybersecurity Talent Initiative – a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership to recruit the nation’s best minds to defend against global cyberattacks.”

2. E2 Microsoft, Mastercard, Workday help create Cybersecurity ... Healthcare IT News · 9 April 2019

   “Microsoft, Mastercard and Workday announced on Tuesday the Cybersecurity Talent Initiative – of which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and 10 other federal agencies are participants.”

3. E3 11 federal agencies help start Cybersecurity Talent Initiative FedScoop · 9 April 2019

   “Through the new program, graduating or recently graduated college students may apply for a two-year cybersecurity placement at a federal agency, after which they’ll be eligible for a full-time position at Mastercard, Microsoft or Workday.”

4. E4 Agencies, Industry Launch New Cyber Talent Initiative MeriTalk · 9 April 2019

   “After completing those two years of services, participants will be eligible for cybersecurity positions at Microsoft, Mastercard, and Workday, as well as up to $75,000 in student loan assistance once they join the private sector.”

Independent reports dated 2019-04-09 say Microsoft, Mastercard and Workday launched the Cybersecurity Talent Initiative together with the Partnership for Public Service (E1, E2). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and 10 other federal agencies took part, which meets the public-sector requirement (E2, E3). The program offers graduates two-year cybersecurity placements at federal agencies, then eligibility for jobs at the three companies, so it is aimed at developing future cybersecurity professionals (E3, E4).