Cybersecurity Programs in Florida

Florida’s known for its beaches and theme parks, not its tech innovations. That may soon change, with the state government making an active push to recruit, educate and retain cyber security professionals. In just the past few years, dozens of certificate and degrees options have popped up in the state. See a list of Florida schools with cyber security programs right now, or scan our guide to schools, scholarships and salaries in the Sunshine State.

Studying Cyber Security in Florida

Florida is tied with Texas for having the second-most NSA/DHS Centers for Academic Excellence (CAE) of any state, with 14. Eight of them are public colleges or universities, great news for Floridians who want a high-quality education at an in-state tuition rate. Indeed, several of these state universities are extra active in cyber security:

• The Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida is a magnet for researchers and students from the state’s 12 public universities. The state legislature established the center with the mission to produce a cyber security workforce that would be the envy of any state. That was in 2014 and the center is already making strides toward that goal. From 2015 to 2016, it distributed a million dollars in seed grants to state research teams.
• The University of Central Florida isn’t in the Ivy League, but its cyber security club team consistently beats Harvard and the like. At the 2016 CyberSEED Competition, the UCF Collegiate Cyber Defense Club took home first place in two of the three competitions, winning over $25,000 in the process. It isn’t just luck. They’ve also won the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition three years in a row (2014 to 2016), besting over 175 other competitors.
• University of Florida doesn’t have any cyber security degree programs, but it’s a great place to be a postgraduate researcher. That’s because UF is home to the Florida Institute for Cybersecurity Research (FICS). Unlike a lot of security research centers, it places a heavy emphasis on hardware, evident in the nanoscale imaging equipment at its SeCurity and AssuraNce (SCAN) Lab. That’s not to say it doesn’t research other areas of information security — in 2016 FICS researchers announced they had created a practical antidote to ransomware.

Online Cyber Security Programs in Florida

Because cyber security is a relatively new academic discipline, it’s harder to find programs of any kind compared to, say, standard Computer Science degrees. If you’re looking online, your options dwindle further.

Florida follows the trend of most states, with a few private colleges carving out a niche in online cyber security programs and dominating the scene. In this case, it’s Saint Leo University and St. Petersburg College, both of which have programs across multiple academic levels. Public colleges in the state do have a presence, however. They’re just more likely to cherrypick which programs they place online. Most — including UCF, USF and UWF — have chosen to focus on their online master’s offerings. And with the support of the Florida Center for Cybersecurity at USF (the de facto cyber security workforce development program for the state) available to students at any of those three schools, they can dominate graduate recruitment.

Online Associate Degrees in Cyber Security

Associate degrees are designed for students without any knowledge of the subject. For cyber security specifically, that means introductory courses in networking, programming and computer hardware before advancing to things like database and network security.

If that’s what you’re looking for but want it in a purely online form, there’s pretty much only one place to find it in Florida: St. Petersburg College. SPC doesn’t make lofty promises about where graduates of its Cybersecurity program will find work, instead noting that it prepares students for any of four roles: help desk technician, network administrator, technical support specialist or IT security specialist. If you want something more CSI, try SPC’s online Digital Forensics and Computer Investigations degree. It combines criminal justice coursework with the most essential classes from the Cybersecurity degree.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Cyber Security

Most employers want to see candidates with bachelor’s degrees, and there are a few ways of earning one. If you’ve already got an associate degree but it’s not in security, you can specialize in it. Cyber security baccalaureate programs get applications from computer science majors all the time, and many have mechanisms in place for enrollees without a tech background to get up to speed.

There are a number of campus-based programs, but if you want to go exclusively online to a Florida school, you can’t be as selective. Keiser University’s bachelor’s program in Cyber Forensics/Information Security is one option for students with an AS from an IT program who want to apply that knowledge toward investigating computer-based crimes. Indian River State College is another option. Its Information Technology Management/Cyber Security BS is geared toward students who are more interested in mitigating security breaches than investigating them. Want more distance learning options? Saint Leo rolled out a BS in Cybersecurity in 2016 and FAU announced that same year that it is adding a cybersecurity track to its Bachelor of Public Safety Administration program.

Online Master’s Degrees in Cyber Security

Whereas online associate and bachelor’s degree options are sparse for Florida cyber security students, there are many distance ed master’s programs. Which is as it should be, because that’s when the most opportunity for specialization within the field arises.

You can find the vanilla options at private schools, such as Saint Leo University. Its MS in Cybersecurity assumes no prior knowledge of the subject (only proficiency with computers in general) and pumps out graduates who can go into government, business or academia. Several of the state’s public universities also have basic programs, such as USF (MS in Cybersecurity) and UWF (MS in IT with Cybersecurity specialization), depending on how much security content you actually want to get.

If you know the type of job you want after your degree, you can get really specific. UCF’s Digital Forensics MS is for tomorrow’s investigators who are shooting for government posts. If it’s a business path for you, Florida Institute of Technology has an MBA in Cybersecurity. It’s about assessing and lowering the risks of security breaches in a corporate setting, and doesn’t require programming knowledge. Those new to the field will find it interesting, but the cyber security portions of the curriculum would be repetitive for anyone holding a certificate or degree in the discipline.

Online Certificate Programs in Cyber Security

A certification is different from a degree or a specialization because it’s a chance to dabble in cybersecurity without committing to studying it for more than a year. There are two basic groups of students who might do this: Those without a degree and those who already have a baccalaureate. Further, because of their short timeframes, online certifications are ideal for professionals who can commit to doing coursework after their nine-to-fives.

Florida has options for almost any taste or need. The Cybersecurity certificate from St. Petersburg College is for those without any higher education. It can be rolled into an associate degree, but it’s enough on its own to prepare students for the CompTIA Security+ professional certification exam. Elsewhere, the Graduate certificate in Information Security Management at Saint Leo is intended for current government staff or businesspeople who need to manage computer-based risks as part of their job. It’s for people who manage cyber security, not the folks with their hands on the keyboard, so expect more in the way of principles than practice.

The biggest player in online cybersecurity certificates, however, is University of West Florida, simply because it has the most programs. Undergrads and graduates alike can enroll in an Information Security Management certificate program, and the school offers undergrads an Intelligence Analysis certificate option to learn how to interpret computer data in a law enforcement setting. It also has a program you can’t find elsewhere: the Geospatial Cybersecurity certificate (undergraduate or graduate), which merges the fields of geographic information science and cyber security.

Cyber Security Scholarships in Florida

Cyber security is a relatively new academic discipline. As such, college departments haven’t had time to attract many endowed scholarships from successful graduates and professional societies. But STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects in general are draws for funds, and cyber security students fall under this category. The following section highlights a few cyber security-specific awards (usually funded by government agencies) and some relevant STEM and tech scholarships available for students at specific colleges:

Florida State University

• CyberCorps Scholarship For Service: The Scholarship for Service is the holy grail for cyber security students, and FSU gains a huge recruitment edge by being the only Florida school to have it. Why? Students who receive it pay no tuition or fees and receive yearly stipends of $20,000 (undergraduates) or $32,000 (graduate students and PhD candidates).
• Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship: Another full-ride award, the DoD Information Assurance Scholarship is a worthy consolation prize. In addition to free tuition, it gives stipends worth $17,000 to undergraduate upperclassmen and $22,000 to grad students.

Nova Southeastern University

• Edward Lieblein Memorial Scholarship: Are you a federal worker enrolled as a grad student at Nova’s College of Engineering and Computing? With a 3.0 GPA and a few letters of recommendation, you might win $500 to $2,000 toward that Master of Science in Information Security.
• Emerging Technology Professional Scholarship: Star students at one of the College of Engineering and Computing’s master’s programs, including MSIS, who already have a couple of classes under their belt can get $1,000 toward the next few courses. Financial need is a criteria, and students must have a 3.0 and strong references.
• Professor Laurie Dringus Scholarship: With one semester at the College of Engineering and Computing down and a 3.0 notched, don’t let lack of funds stop you from continuing. Send in letters of reference and apply for this award worth up to $1,000.

Pasco-Hernando State College

• American Data & Computer Products Scholarship: Tech students can win a scholarship from the Tampa business of the same name. The scholarship committee prefers to hand out awards to veterans and/or students from ethnic minorities.
• Richard and Eileen Cooper Scholarship: There are two basic qualifications for this award. The first is to have demonstrable financial need. If you’re reading this, you probably qualify. The second is to be majoring in a computer or tech field, and the school’s IT Security program definitely meets that standard.

St. Petersburg College

• 10k Degree Program Scholarship: Computer and Information Technology students are eligible for this award from the St. Petersburg College Foundation. The amount varies by year and by candidate.
• Information Technology (IT) Security Scholarship: The name pretty much telegraphs who this award is for. Other details: It’s worth $2,400 a year and reserved for students with financial need who hold at least a 2.5 GPA.
• Sid Thangaraj Memorial Scholarship: Honors College STEM students one year away from their degree (associate or bachelor’s) can get $1,000 toward the cause.
• Tampa Bay SEEDS in STEM Scholarship: This is the biggest award for STEM students at SPC. It’s worth $6,500 over three semesters and goes to those underrepresented in the sciences, including women, minority students and enrollees from low-income homes.
• Women in Technology International (WITI) Tampa Bay Area Network Scholarship: Speaking of underrepresented demographics, WITI wants more woman to enroll in tech, and they’re backing that desire up with $1,000 for high-performing female students in a Computer & Information Technology degree program.

The University of West Florida

• IT Performance Scholarship: The UWF Center for Cybersecurity makes these scholarships available to students in multiple degree programs, but it throws a few extra toward students in the BS in Cybersecurity program. The value? $2,000 to $2,500 plus extra help with professional development.

Cyber Security Events in Florida

Cyber Security Meetups & Communities in Florida

After you’re done looking at the screen, get out and meet some people with a similar interest in cyber security. CitySec is the most laid-back of groups for information security professionals, prioritizing beer and informal networking over structured presentations or discussions. There are four of them in Florida: SoFloSec just north of Fort Lauderdale, SwampSec in Gainesville, CitrusSec in Orlando and CigarCitySec in Tampa. If you’re looking for a meetup with more meat, try one of the following:

• Defcon813: A Tampa-based hacking collective, Defcon813 rallies its members to attend cyber security events in the state. It hosts its own events, but details on those are hush hush until you join.
• HackMiami: HackMiami is South Florida’s largest and most active group attuned to information security issues. Members take turns presenting on topics they’re knowledgeable about, such as specific web applications or surveillance law.
• Jacksonville Florida IT Server Group: A bit more general in focus than the average cyber security meetup, the JAX IT Server Group nonetheless infuses network security issues into just about every meeting.
• South Florida ISSA Chapter: Members of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) meet monthly at Nova Southeastern University to listen to outside speakers, and they welcome newcomers. A good entry point is its annual Hack the Flag/Chili Cook Off event.
• Tampa Bay Cyber Security Meetup: Though small as far as meetups go, this group of “cyber warriors” is quite active, meeting about 15 times a year to discuss their individual security challenges or participate in larger Tampa events.

Cyber Security Conferences & Workshops in Florida

It won’t surprise you that Florida’s beaches are a huge draw for the conference crowd. Many major conferences roll through town at least once a decade. But there are a few options if you’re based in Florida and looking for an annual event to circle on your calendar. The TEDx version of cyber security is called B-Sides and leverages knowledgeable locals to organize conferences across the world, including in Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville. There are also more traditional conferences — the kind your company might pay for you to go to — organized by universities, society chapters and big vendors. Here are five to watch for:

• FICS Conference on Cybersecurity: The Florida Institute for Cybersecurity Research invites prominent businesspeople, government officials and academics to Gainesville for two days to speak about industry challenges and their visions for the future.
• Florida Center for Cybersecurity Conference: University of South Florida in Tampa hosts this conference every year. It’s a one-day event packed with breakout sessions led by government officials and tech officers.
• HackMiami Information Security Conference: HackMiami does more than just meet up for coffee and talks. They put on their own show three days each year on the state’s Atlantic coastline.
• INFILTRATE Security Conference: As the conference’s name suggests, INFILTRATE focuses on offense. You won’t find presentations here, just plenty of hands-on exploits.
• InfoSecWorld: Part conference, part exposition, InfoSecWorld is the place to go to see demonstrations of the latest applications as well as attend expert-led workshops.

Cyber Security Jobs in Florida

The Florida Center for Cybersecurity is at the center of workforce development. The state legislature created it in 2014 with the goal of making the Sunshine State the national leader in cyber security. While it’s not quite there — Virginia, Texas, California and New York all have built-in edges — it’s being strategic about growth. For instance, it’s partnered with JPMorganChase and the state’s Office of Veterans Services to provide free cyber security training for vets and set them up with jobs after graduation.

There are also a few Florida businesses that need cyber security grads now. Fidelity National Information Services in Jacksonville is one of them. It’s a Fortune 500 company that provides financial services to companies, necessitating staff who can ensure transactions go smoothly without interference from cyber criminals.

There are also a number of companies whose businesses are entirely centered around cyber security. Seven Florida companies are on the Cybersecurity 500, Cybersecurity Ventures’ list of the world’s best companies in the industry: Easy Solutions, Veriato, KnowBe4, Appriver, INFOSIGHT, Harris and Citrix.

But the overall job forecast for cyber security grads is unclear. On the one hand, the state is anything but saturated with professionals, with demand for cyber security professionals just two-thirds to three-fourths (depending on the source) what it is nationally. On the other hand, two Florida cities — Miami (6th) and Tampa (8th) — ranked in the top 10 for cyber security job growth from 2010 to 2014.

Cyber Security Salaries in Florida

One way Florida can become a cybersecurity nexus is by increasing salaries. The state’s information security analysts make an average salary of $83,710 in 2015, compared to a national average of $93,250. And although the state’s cost of living is slightly below the national average, that’s still a large difference in wages, especially when you consider the major growth is taking place in coastal areas such as Miami and Tampa, whose views come with higher rents. Then again, $80K+ a year for a job near the ocean doesn’t seem so bad, does it?