The University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity highlighted the success and impact of the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program at a showcase held at Florida International University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, associate vice president for UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity and principal investigator for the national program, highlighted its impact.
Why this matters: Over the past three years, a coalition of 10 National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity institutions led by UWF has developed 28 training pathways that prepare for 15 cybersecurity work roles, and trained over 1,700 transitioning military, first responders and veterans for cybersecurity careers in critical infrastructure sectors.
Dig Deeper: Legislative, federal and industry partners gathered in the nation’s capital to hear perspectives from the CyberSkills2Work program team, graduates and employers.
The program is funded by a $9 million, three-year NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity grant. The showcase was the first of its kind hosted by UWF and FIU in Washington, D.C.
“The CyberSkills2Work program showcases the strength of collaboration between academic institutions, the military, first responders, and the private sector in addressing the nation’s urgent need for a robust cybersecurity workforce,” said Randy Pestana, principal investigator, Florida International University CyberSkills2Work Program. “As part of the consortium, FIU is honored to contribute to the training and development of hundreds of veterans and first responders, empowering them to defend our critical infrastructure against ever-evolving cyber threats.”
Coalition member institutions include the University of West Florida, Augusta University, Dakota State University, Eastern New Mexico University–Ruidoso, Florida International University, Metropolitan State University, San Antonio College, University of Houston, University of South Florida-Cyber Florida and the University of Texas at San Antonio.
For more information about the CyberSkills2Work program, visit cyberskills2work.org.