Florida Center for Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is increasingly vital as people and businesses connect in our unprecedented digital age and as cyber attackers target critical information systems. The Cybersecurity workforce and more extensive, innovative cyber research opportunities have opened as a result. Florida State University System (SUS) institutions are working together to expand educational offerings, research capabilities and partnerships to help make Florida the leading cyber state.
To accomplish this, the 2013 Florida Legislature called on the state's Board of Governors to submit a plan for the creation of the Florida Center for Cybersecurity (FC2) -- a shared resource for Florida's stakeholders in education, government, defense and industry. Principally located at the University of South Florida, the center was officially created in 2014. (More Information)
Central Florida Community of Practice
The mission of the Florida Cyber Alliance is to enhance the Florida Cybersecurity community by fostering strategic partnerships and providing information security training, fellowship, and outreach.
Our vision is to develop Florida into the world’s premiere Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity. Put into action, our mission and vision allows us to:
- provide and facilitate CyberSecurity education and research opportunities to the residents of Florida;
- provide education, training, mentorship, and volunteer opportunities to all members of the security community;
- ensure that our work extends to the youth in our community;
- grow a strong and sustainable Cyber Security industry in Florida;
- work with local governments, schools, and industry leaders to provide for economic development in the Cybersecurity field (More Information)
National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) (link is external) is a nationally-coordinated effort comprising over 20 Federal departments and agencies, academia, and industry. The mission of this initiative is to enhance the overall cybersecurity posture of the United States by accelerating the availability of educational and training resources designed to improve the cyber behavior, skills, and knowledge of every segment of the population, enabling a safer cyberspace for all. The NICE initiative extends beyond the Federal workplace to include private industry, those changing careers, and students in kindergarten through post-graduate school.
NICE was established in support of the 2009 Cyberspace Policy review and expands upon the cyber education Initiative of the 2008 Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI) (link is external). CNCI Initiative 8: Expand Cyber Education - Interim Way Forward acknowledges, "in order to effectively ensure our continued technical advantage and future cybersecurity, we must develop a technologically-skilled and cyber-savvy workforce and an effective pipeline of future employees" to meet the cybersecurity challenge. (More Information)
Colloquium for Information Security Education
The National Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education (NCISSE) was created in 1996 to provide a forum for dialogue among leading figures in government, industry, and academia. In June 2002, NCISSE expanded its mission to include greater international participation. To reflect this the organization formally changed its name to The Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education or more simply -- The Colloquium.
The Colloquium recognizes that the protection of information and infrastructures that are used to create, store, process, and communicate information is vital to business continuity and security. The Colloquium's goal is to work together to define current and emerging requirements for information assurance education and to influence and encourage the development and expansion of information assurance curricula, especially at the graduate and undergraduate levels. The Colloquium has become the leading proponent for implementing courses of instruction in INFOSEC in education. (More Information)
National CyberWatch Center
The National CyberWatch Center is a consortium of higher education institutions, public and private schools, businesses, and government agencies focused on collaborative efforts to advance cybersecurity education and strengthen the national cybersecurity workforce.
National CyberWatch Center continues its culture of collaboration, coordinating a broad national network of networks, including:
- Students: One-stop shop for quality educational and training resources, access to employers, using engaging ways to develop talent
- Schools: Access the Center’s vast network of organizations, subject matter experts, and relationships
- Employees & Alumni: Partner with an industry leader in cybersecurity educational standards, job preparedness, and placement
- Businesses & Employees: Create business solutions and access to quality frontline and specialized cybersecurity experts
CAE Community Portal
National Information Assurance & Training Programs
NSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly sponsor the National Centers of Academic Excellence in IA/CD programs. The goal of these programs is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in IA/CD and producing a growing number of professionals with IA/CD expertise in various disciplines. Designation is valid for five academic years, after which the school must successfully reapply in order to retain its CAE designation.
Students attending CAE IA/CD-E and CAE IA/CD-R schools are eligible to apply for scholarships and grants through the Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship Program and the Federal Cyber Service Scholarship for Service Program. Designation as a Center does not carry a commitment for funding from NSA or DHS.
CAE IA/CD institutions receive formal recognition from the U.S. Government as well as opportunities for prestige and publicity for their role in securing our Nation's information systems. (More Information)
Cyber Degrees
The field of cyber security has never been hotter. To help you find your dream job, this site has pulled together a comprehensive directory of colleges and universities offering cyber security degrees, as well as a wealth of information on career paths within the cyber security field, security clearances, the range of professional security certifications available, free online courses in security topics and more. (More Information)
NSA CAE Cyber Defense Program Information
The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly sponsor the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) program. The goal of the program is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense and producing professionals with cyber defense expertise for the Nation. (More Information)
NSA CAE Cyber Operations Program Information
The National Security Agency (NSA) is pleased to announce the establishment of a new National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Operations Program. The program is in support of the President's National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE): Building a Digital Nation and furthers the goal to broaden the pool of skilled workers capable of supporting a cyber-secure nation.
The CAE-Cyber Operations program is intended to be a deeply technical, inter-disciplinary, higher education program firmly grounded in the computer science (CS), computer engineering (CE), and/or electrical engineering (EE) disciplines, with extensive opportunities for hands-on applications via labs/exercises.
The CAE-Cyber Operations program complements the existing Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) programs, providing a particular emphasis on technologies and techniques related to specialized cyber operations (e.g., collection, exploitation, and response), to enhance the national security posture of our Nation. These technologies and techniques are critical to intelligence, military and law enforcement organizations authorized to perform these specialized operations. (More Information)
(ISC)2 provides CISSP & SSCP Cybersecurity Certification Programs
Headquartered in the United States and with offices in London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Mumbai, and an authorized China agency in Beijing, the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, Inc., (ISC)²®, is the global, not-for-profit leader in educating and certifying cyber, information, software and infrastructure security professionals throughout their careers. We are recognized for Gold Standard certifications and world class education programs.
We provide vendor-neutral education products, career services, and Gold Standard credentials to professionals in more than 160 countries. We take pride in our reputation built on trust, integrity, and professionalism. And we’re proud of our membership – an elite network that has over 110,000 certified industry professionals worldwide. (More Information)
Cybersecurity Competition Federation
The Cybersecurity Competition Federation, also known as the Federation or CyberFed (NSF Award DUE - 134536), is an association of academic, industry and government organizations with a common interest in supporting cybersecurity competitions and the competitors they serve. Federation members share the common goal of increasing awareness, endorsing ethical standards, building a common understanding of diverse competition tasks, helping those who oversee activities and competitions, and ensuring a developmental pathway of cybersecurity-based activities that support the growth of cybersecurity skill. With a focus on communication and promotion the Federation supports an engaged and thriving ecosystem of cybersecurity competitions and related activities which in turn will rapidly prepare people with widely needed cybersecurity knowledge and skills. (More Information)