Every day, our world faces escalating digital threats, and the adoption of AI technologies becomes more widespread. Amid this cyber-boom, the cybersecurity industry is experiencing explosive job growth and an alarming talent gap.
The World Economic Forum reports that more than 4 million cybersecurity jobs are vacant. According to Forbes, cybersecurity ranks among the top areas for job growth, with employers struggling to fill roles. Over 514,000 cybersecurity job listings were posted in the U.S. just in the past 12 months, a 12% increase over the previous year.
This is why, from Pensacola to Miami, two of Florida’s higher education institutions are forging a path for our students in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. The University of West Florida sits at the opposite end of the state from Miami Dade College, but together we are educating the next generation of cyber professionals to be the strongest possible talent for this critical and booming profession.
When UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity opened in 2014, it was designed to serve as a regional hub for cybersecurity education, research and workforce development. But the University quickly gained national recognition, earning the designation of a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
UWF today offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cybersecurity, accredited by ABET and aligned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. In line with the NCAE-C standards, the curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning that prepares students for roles in malware analysis, secure software development and digital forensics.
A series of recent state, federal and regional grants are positioning us to do even more, cementing UWF’s position as a national leader in cybersecurity education.
● A $9.6 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of War CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office will fund UWF’s National Cybersecurity Workforce Development program, or CyberSkills2Work, training nearly 4,700 professionals in cybersecurity and AI across 62 educational pathways and 24 certifications.
● A $32.5 million Triumph Gulf Coast grant will expand our cybersecurity and computational intelligence infrastructure.
● A $2 million Cyber Florida legislative grant will allow UWF to offer free courses and AIenhanced cybersecurity exercises for state and local government employees. UWF’s evolution from a once-regional player to a national leader in cybersecurity education reflects Florida’s commitment to building a resilient, AI-integrated workforce.
President Madeline Pumariega at Miami Dade College shares this commitment, and the success of our programs ensures that students have two strong in-state options for pursuing their higher education in this field.
MDC launched its Cybersecurity Center of the Americas in 2018 in response to growing demand for cyber talent in South Florida. Today, they offer both associate and bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity.
They were the first Florida college to receive NSA validation for both their associate and bachelor’s degree programs, earning the prestigious designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.
MDC students train in a state-of-the-art Cyber Range that simulates real-world cyberattacks for hands-on learning. Program graduates receive NSA transcript recognition, making them eligible for federal grants, scholarships and advanced training opportunities.
Together, UWF and MDC represent the best of Florida’s investment in cybersecurity and AI. In 2021, UWF and MDC created an articulation agreement, allowing MDC students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree eligibility for express admission into the Masters of Science in Cybersecurity program at UWF. to expand cybersecurity workforce development in Florida.
Our students are already making a name for themselves – and our programs. Lousindy Mitton, an MDC cybersecurity graduate who completed her Master’s degree online at UWF, was awarded the Prestigious Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship and is the first student in the University’s history to receive this award. Lounsindy has also been selected as a Department of War DoD Cyber Service Academy Scholar. This scholarship award carries a total value of up to $379,610 that will pay for Mitton’s annual tuition, cost of books and stipend of $34,000 until the completion of her Ph.D. degree in intelligent systems and robotics at UWF with a specialization in cybersecurity. Upon completion of her degree, she will receive an immediate offer of DoD employment.
Our programs are nationally recognized, grant-funded and deeply rooted in workforce development and innovation. We offer world-class education, hands-on experience and direct pathways to highdemand careers in cybersecurity and AI.
The success of these programs is proof that strategic state investment in higher education pays dividends in national security, economic development and technological innovation. Continued support is essential to keep Florida at the forefront of the digital frontier.
Manny Diaz is interim president of the University of West Florida. Madeline Pumariega is president of Miami Dade College.