FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEAFCYBERCON and Haystack Solutions Partner to Advance Cybersecurity Careers for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Professionals

Washington, DC (August 4, 2026): DEAFCYBERCON, a charitable nonprofit building a pipeline of cybersecurity career opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) individuals, today announced a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Haystack Solutions, a College Park, MD based cybersecurity workforce firm specializing in aptitude-driven career assessment and placement. The partnership formalizes the two organizations’ shared commitment to removing systemic barriers that prevent DHH professionals from entering and advancing in the cybersecurity industry.

Under the agreement, Haystack Solutions will serve as a Collaborator, Contributor, and Connector within the DEAFCYBERCON community, sharing information about career opportunities, participating in annual planning, and committing to at least one measurable action each year designed to lower barriers to entry for deaf women in cybersecurity. The partnership also supports inclusive hiring practices through the use of sign language, interpreters, and adaptive technologies.

"At DEAFCYBERCON, we know that meaningful careers are built through access, mentorship, and community. Haystack Solutions brings a powerful cognitive-assessment approach to cybersecurity workforce development that aligns directly with our mission," said Angela Dingle, President & CEO of DEAFCYBERCON. "Together, we can ensure that deaf and hard-of-hearing professionals are not just discovered, they are fully supported on their path to long-term career success.”

The partnership is a key catalyst for the DEAFCYBERCON Mentorship Program, a 12-month initiative pairing DHH individuals with experienced cybersecurity professionals. The program, which launched in April 2026, addresses a stark employment gap: only 54 % of deaf individuals are employed compared to 68 % of the general population, a disparity that is even more pronounced in cybersecurity, where DHH professionals often lack access to the informal networks and mentorship channels that fuel career growth.

Mentors commit to one virtual meeting per month over 12 months and receive a $600 stipend upon program completion. DEAFCYBERCON provides orientation, deaf culture training, ASL interpreter access, and captioning to ensure all interactions are fully accessible. The program targets a cohort of mentor-mentee pairings, with a mid-program Hiring Village and a graduation celebration in April 2027.

“The cybersecurity industry faces a talent crisis, with 2.8 million unfilled positions nationwide. Deaf and hard-of-hearing professionals represent a talented, largely untapped workforce. Haystack Solutions is proud to partner with DEAFCYBERCON to bring our CyberGEN.IQ aptitude assessment tools and employer network to bear on this challenge, helping DHH candidates find the right career path and helping employers find the right people.” said Tabitha Flax, CEO at Haystack Solutions.

Cybersecurity professionals interested in serving as mentors and employers seeking to diversify their talent pipeline are encouraged to visit https://deafcybercon.org/mentorship to learn more.

About DEAFCYBERCON:

DEAFCYBERCON is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) not-for-profit building cybersecurity career opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals through virtual and in-person events, mentorship programs, workforce development initiatives, and strategic industry partnerships. To learn more visit www.deafcybercon.org.

About Haystack Solutions:

Haystack Solutions is a cybersecurity workforce company based in College Park, Maryland, dedicated to aligning career opportunities with individual cognitive aptitude. The company’s flagship product, CyberGEN.IQ, is a cyber aptitude and talent assessment featuring 14 cognitive tests that identify where an individual’s abilities will perform best across the five cognitive dimensions of cybersecurity. Haystack Solutions serves corporations, government agencies, and educational institutions.

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