Flagship Program
Autonomous Cloud & Security Architect Fellowship
A selective, application-only fellowship upgrading mid-level engineers into security-first cloud architects through architecture-led training, automation-only implementation, and defense-based evaluation.
From Cloud Engineer to Security-First Architect
Most engineers can deploy infrastructure. Few can design secure, automated platforms under real constraints and clearly defend tradeoffs in a review setting.
This fellowship develops architects who can design for resilience, integrate security by architecture, automate delivery end-to-end, and operate with AI-assisted workflows built with guardrails.
Graduates can:
- Design production-grade cloud architectures under constraints
- Automate infrastructure delivery via IaC + CI/CD (no click-ops)
- Integrate security as an architectural constraint (IAM, segmentation, telemetry)
- Improve signal quality through detection and response readiness
- Use AI responsibly to accelerate operations with validation and guardrails
- Defend tradeoffs under live architecture review
Program Structure
High rigor. Clear standards. Controlled detail. Detailed curriculum brief is provided upon acceptance.
Hybrid Delivery
Recorded foundations + live architecture sessions, reviews, and guided labs. Built for professionals who need depth without waste.
Automation-Only
Infrastructure must be reproducible via IaC and CI/CD. Manual console drift is not accepted as a delivery model.
Capstone + Defense
Fellows build a production-ready architecture and defend decisions under questioning. The designation is earned through proof.
Evaluation Domains
Fellows are evaluated across five domains that collectively define modern cloud and security architecture. These domains make the program scalable and ensure the designation remains meaningful.
Evaluation is rubric-based. Associate instructors can support grading, while final designation is approved through defense review.
- Architecture & Systems Design — failure modeling, tradeoffs, clarity
- Infrastructure Automation — IaC structure, CI/CD promotion, reproducibility
- Cloud Security Architecture — IAM, segmentation, telemetry, threat surface
- Detection & Response Engineering — signal quality, workflows, response readiness
- AI-Augmented Operations — AI-assisted workflows with validation and guardrails
ACSA-F Designation
Autonomous Cloud & Security Architect – Fellow
ACSA-F is a post-nominal designation awarded only to Fellows who successfully complete the capstone and defend their architecture before review. This is an earned credential — not a participation certificate.
How ACSA-F is earned
- Complete all required labs and submissions
- Achieve performance thresholds across domains
- Only top performers (≈80%) qualify for defense eligibility
- Deliver capstone architecture build + documentation
- Pass live architecture defense under questioning
Fellows who complete the program but do not earn ACSA-F receive a certificate of completion.
Admissions
Admission is selective. This fellowship is intended for professionals ready for architectural depth.
Who should apply
Cloud/DevOps/SRE professionals, platform engineers, and security engineers transitioning to architecture. Typically 2+ years in infrastructure roles.
How selection works
Written application → technical baseline assessment → interview (shortlist) → acceptance + required pre-work.
Pre-work required
Accepted Fellows complete an automation + architecture baseline prior to Week 1. Seats are forfeited if pre-work is not completed.
Investment
This fellowship is priced for professional transformation and enterprise value. Pricing supports rigorous evaluation, capstone review, and defense-based credentialing.
Payment details are provided upon acceptance.
Pricing
- Employer-sponsored seat: $15,000
- Individual professional seat: $12,000
- Application review fee: $250 (non-refundable)
Ready to earn the standard?
Apply for the Founding Cohort. Admission is selective. Designation is earned.