Information security specialist with master's degree sought NIW for cybersecurity consulting startup. Appeal dismissed because petitioner failed to establish national importance of proposed endeavor beyond personal employment and failed to demonstrate being well positioned to advance it.

Cybersecurity specialist seeks NIW to establish consulting company as CEO. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance of proposed endeavor, lacking evidence the company would operate at scale or have broader implications for cybersecurity industry despite cybersecurity being government priority.

Cybersecurity specialist and educator sought NIW without submitting detailed business plan. Proposed applying cybersecurity expertise across eight NIST domains. AAO dismissed because petitioner did not establish national importance of specific endeavor; submitted only general support letters and relied on cybersecurity field importance, not demonstrating how proposed work would have broader impact.

An information security analyst holding a master's in cybersecurity operations sought EB-2 national interest waiver for a cybersecurity consulting firm. The AAO found the applicant demonstrated substantial merit but lacked evidence of the specific endeavor's national importance. General industry importance and alignment with federal priorities were insufficient.