Summer 2024
Funded by:
Virtual Orientation: Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 9-11am
Applications open: Monday, April 1, 2024
Deadline to apply: Monday, May 13, 2024
Schedule: Monday, June 10 through Friday, August 9, 2024
Outcome: Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a voucher for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam
Priority consideration is given to veterans, fist responders and underrepresented populations
Are you ready for a new career?
The demand for cybersecurity professionals in Florida has never been higher, with the state experiencing a surge in cyber threats across various sectors including government, healthcare, finance, and education. As businesses increasingly rely on digital infrastructure, the need for skilled cybersecurity personnel capable of safeguarding sensitive data and infrastructure becomes paramount. A comprehensive workforce development training program tailored to Florida’s unique needs presents a significant opportunity to address this demand. By providing specialized training in areas such as network security, digital forensics, threat detection, and incident response, this program can equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the evolving challenges of cybersecurity. Moreover, such a program can not only fill the existing talent gap but also stimulate economic growth by attracting businesses seeking assurances of robust cybersecurity measures. By investing in the development of a skilled cybersecurity workforce, Florida can position itself as a leader in cybersecurity resilience, fostering innovation and competitiveness in the digital age.
Through expert online instruction and hands-on learning, these multi-week programs prepare students to enter the cybersecurity workforce as Tier 1 Security Operation Center (SOC) Analysts, a position with an average starting salary of $72,229.
Spring 2023 Cohort
A new path for underemployed and underrepresented groups
CyberWorks meets the needs of transitioning veterans, first responders and career-changers from historically underrepresented groups, such as women, people of color and people with disabilities.
Applicants should have some knowledge of computers and networking basics. Those ready for a career change should be prepared to make the 6-month commitment to complete the courses. We expect students to spend at least 10 to 20 hours per week dedicated to the program.
Read more on specific program requirements/information below.
Currently, this program is open only to Florida residents over the age of 18. Candidates must be legally able to work in the United States upon program completion and must have achieved at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
A limited number of full-tuition grants are available for those who qualify on a first-come, first-serve basis. Application required.
FALL 2024 ONLY: CyberWorks is offered at no cost to Florida residents thanks to support from JP Morgan Chase and a grant funded by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program to establish a national certificate-based cybersecurity workforce development program called CyberSkills2Work.
SUMMER 2024: CyberWorks is a 9-week virtual course with pre-recorded online content and 3 one-hour live virtual session per week. The CyberWorks program includes:
- Online coursework includes pre-recorded seminars, virtual lab assignments, discussions, quizzes and a final examination.
- Twice a week live instructor-led evening online sessions
- Once a week virtual cybersecurity industry guest speaker lunchtime sessions
- Engaging in career development workshops and resources
- On-on-one mentorship with a career coach
- Virtual Orientation event to welcome participants to the program
- Networking event at the end of the program
- Participate in program evaluation surveys and interviews
- Participants who successfully complete the course will receive vouchers to take the CompTIA Security+ exam (SUMMER 2024).
This 9-week hybrid course is intended to be manageable for adults working full time, but the accelerated nature of the course does demand a significant time investment. In addition to recorded seminars, online lab exercises, and quizzes, there are two one-hour live evening instructor-led class sessions and one one-hour guest speaker lunch session per week.
Participants are expected to:
- Make time to study course materials as well as outside resources as needed
- Complete all assigned coursework, including watching presentations, reviewing modules, working on virtual labs, taking quizzes, etc.
- Attend the weekly evening instructor lab sessions
- Attend the weekly virtual guest speaker sessions and/or professional development workshops
- Engage in career readiness activities and resources
- Attend an virtual orientation session at the start of the program
- Participate in program evaluation surveys and interviews
- Study and take the certification exam within 7 days of program completion
Participants will need consistent access to reliable internet and the following computer requirements:
For a MAC Computer:
- Must be a MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacAir, iMac (*NO IPADS*)
- No older than a 2017 edition
- With 8 GB RAM or greater
- With at least 100GB free space on the hard drive (for downloading virtual machine software, guest OS installation, and associated files)
For a WINDOWS-Based Computer:
- Running Microsoft Windows 10
- Intel- or AM-based processor (no ARM processors)
- Intel: i5 7th generation or newer with VT-x virtualization technology (at least)
- AMD: 2017 or newer processor with hypervisor technology
- 12 GB of RAM or greater
- 2.0 GHz processor speed or greater
- At least 100GB free space on the hard drive (for downloading virtual machine software, guest OS installation, and associated files)
Apply on the CyberSkills2Work website: https://cyberskills2work.org/i/ Select the following Training Program: Cyber Defense Analyst Pathway – University of South Florida: Cyber Florida
Phase 1: Eligible candidates should submit their completed application survey with required documents to be reviewed by the program staff.
Required documents that must be uploaded to complete the application include
- Current professional resume
- One recommendation letter from an unrelated individual who can speak to your academic or employment experience
- Valid photo identification
- Proof of first responder or military service documentation as applicable (for those applying for the New Skills for a New Fight cohort)
Phase 2: Once your complete application package is received, program staff will schedule a virtual interview.
Phase 3: Selected candidates are notified of acceptance and enrollment paperwork is initiated.
Networking Fundamentals
Module 1: Introduction to Networking
Module 2: Infrastructure and Documentation
Module 3: Addressing
Module 4: Protocols
Module 5: Networking Media
Module 6: Wireless Networking
Module 7: Network Architecture
Module 8: Segmentation
Module 9: Wide Area Networking
Module 10: Risk Management
Module 11: Security in Network Design
Module 12: Performance and Recovery
Cyber Defense Fundamentals
Module 1: Enterprise Threats and Vulnerabilities
Module 2: Threat Data and Intelligence
Module 3: Vulnerability Management
Module 4: Cloud Computing and Assessment Tools
Module 5: Infrastructure Controls
Module 6: Software and Hardware Assurance Best Practices
Module 7: Security Monitoring through Data Analysis
Module 8: Security Operations
Module 9: Incident Response Planning and Procedures
Module 10: Responding to a Cyber Incident
Module 11: Risk Mitigation
Module 12: Data Protection and Privacy