Center for Cybersecurity at USF Enhances Education and Defense

On Jan. 15 the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to discuss its cybersecurity capabilities by focusing on workforce development, education and critical infrastructure defense.

General Kenneth F. McKenzie, former leader of U.S. Central Command and executive director of Global and National Security Institute and Cyber Florida at the University of South Florida (USF) recently highlighted the growing threat posed by cyber actors, including state-sponsored groups, criminals and ideological organizations.

Despite the U.S. having the world’s most advanced offensive cyber capabilities, McKenzie emphasized the country’s vulnerability due to its reliance on digital infrastructure, making it a prime target for cyber attacks.

Launched in 2014, Cyber Florida has significantly strengthened the state's cybersecurity capabilities by focusing on workforce development, education and critical infrastructure defense.

Florida is increasingly becoming a national leader in cybersecurity, thanks to the efforts of Cyber Florida, a statewide initiative based at USF.

Cyber Florida has been proactive in addressing these challenges, focusing on building a robust cybersecurity workforce and enhancing state infrastructure protection. The initiative works with USF and other universities, as well as local governments and schools, to provide training and educational programs to tackle the cybersecurity talent shortage.

The program has already seen substantial growth in student enrollment. As of now, 2,500 students are enrolled in cybersecurity programs across USF’s platforms, and the university plans to increase enrollment to 5,000 next year, with a goal of reaching 10,000 students within five years.

This growth is essential as the U.S. faces a cybersecurity talent gap, with an estimated 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally by 2025. The College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing at USF, a new initiative, is expected to further accelerate Florida’s ability to produce highly skilled professionals in these fields.

Cyber Florida is also working to integrate cybersecurity into K-12 education across the state. The program, with a budget of $400,000 per year, provides summer camps, career-readiness programs and teacher training to help students gain hands-on experience with cybersecurity concepts. This program reaches students from kindergarten through 12th grade, helping prepare the next generation for careers in cybersecurity.

In addition to its educational programs, Cyber Range, an initiative that offers simulated cyber attacks on local government systems, has already served 29 counties. The program allows counties to test their cyber defenses in a controlled environment, identifying weaknesses and improving their response strategies.

"With over 480 participants in its first year, the Cyber Range is helping smaller counties (many of which lack the resources for robust cybersecurity) strengthen their defenses," explained McKenzie.

One of Cyber Florida’s flagship accomplishments is its comprehensive $7 million critical infrastructure assessment, which evaluates Florida’s vulnerabilities in 16 key sectors, including energy, health care and transportation.

Florida is the first state to conduct such a wide-ranging evaluation, and the findings have been eye-opening. For instance, more than half of the surveyed entities reported not using dual encryption or keeping their systems updated with essential patches. The survey, which has received responses from over 470 entities, is helping to guide the state’s cybersecurity policy and infrastructure improvements.

Cyber Florida has also been instrumental in training Florida’s state workforce. In fiscal year 2022, the program received a $30 million legislative allocation to train state and local government employees in basic and advanced cybersecurity skills. To date, more than 10,000 individuals have participated in the program.

This workforce development effort, which spans all 67 counties, includes tailored training for entry-level and management-level employees. The program is expected to continue until 2027, with the possibility of further funding.

The Sunshine Cyber Conference, an annual event hosted by Cyber Florida in Tampa, serves as a major networking platform for cybersecurity professionals. This year the event is expected to attract more than 1,500 participants, including industry leaders, government officials and vendors. The conference offers opportunities for collaboration and discussion of emerging cybersecurity challenges, helping position Florida as a leader in both cybersecurity education and defense.

Cyber Florida is also engaging high school students through initiatives like the CyberLaunch competition. This statewide event allows over 900 students to participate in cybersecurity challenges, promoting awareness of the field and encouraging students to pursue careers in cybersecurity. Industry leaders, including companies like Google, Intel and Lenovo, participate in the event, providing mentorship and career opportunities for students.

By 2025, Florida aims to increase its cybersecurity student enrollment to 10,000, and its efforts have already attracted millions of dollars in grants.