Western Governors University
IT Security Analyst II, Application Security
Full details on LinkedIn
The complete job description, requirements, and application details are available on the original posting.
About Western Governors University
Western Governors University (WGU) is a nonprofit, online university established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors. It aims to provide accessible, competency-based higher education for nontraditional students, particularly working adults. WGU was created to address gaps in traditional education, such as high costs and barriers for mid-career professionals. It operates independently, funded primarily through tuition, which is approximately $6,000 for a 12-month period. WGU employs a competency-based education model, allowing students to progress at their own pace by demonstrating mastery of subjects. This flexible online approach is designed to accommodate the needs of working adults with family or job responsibilities. The university offers bachelor's and master's degrees in key areas, including Teacher Education, Information Technology, Business, and Health Professions. WGU has gained accreditation across four regions and focuses on innovative, student-centered design to enhance economic mobility.
Security at Western Governors University
Compiled from public job postings, careers pages, and company materials. Data may not reflect current state — verify during interviews.
Security Philosophy
- Western Governors University (WGU) approaches application security through a 'security by design' philosophy, emphasizing the integration of security activities directly into the system design and development phases.
- Their stated priorities include proactive threat modeling to identify attack vectors early and maintaining a suite of automated tools (SAST, DAST, SCA) to oversee application and API security.
- The team emphasizes collaboration with engineering departments to prioritize and remediate vulnerabilities, suggesting an enablement-focused approach to developer relations.
Security Team
- The AppSec team at WGU includes roles such as Senior Application Security Engineer and IT Security Analyst II (AppSec).
- These roles report within the broader IT Security organization.
- Akelius Liggins is identified as a key cybersecurity leader and CISO associated with the institution.
- The team is actively hiring as of February 2026, with multiple postings for application security specialists focused on hands-on tool maintenance and vulnerability oversight.
Key Initiatives
- Active initiatives at WGU include the implementation of a Zero Trust Architecture and the integration of security into the SDLC through 'security by design' principles.
- The team is responsible for continuous monitoring, penetration testing, and overseeing vulnerability scanning for both applications and APIs.
- There is a strong emphasis on 'competency-based education' in their cybersecurity curriculum, which mirrors their internal focus on evolving security skills.
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