Tampa Bay conference unites cybersecurity, AI, national security leaders
February 5, 2026—Tampa, Fla—CyberBay Summit returns this spring to Tampa Bay as the next evolution of a high-impact conference that convenes the nation’s leading voices in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Building on the success of its inaugural event last fall, the Summit will once again bring together leaders from business, investment, education, and law enforcement, this time with an expanded agenda focused on accelerating innovation, strengthening cyber resilience, and shaping the future of digital defense.
Summit Details
Set for March 11-13, 2026, at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, the event is hosted by Bellini Capital, Cyber Florida, and the University of South Florida (USF). Registration is now open at CyberBay.org/summit.
The agenda of speaker sessions and workshops will focus on:
- critical infrastructure
- cyber management
- emerging technology
- entrepreneur
- law enforcement/cybercriminology
- workforce development
Keynote Speakers
Jen Easterly, former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is one of the most influential leaders in national cyber defense. From protecting critical infrastructure to shaping the future of cyber resilience, Jen brings a perspective few can match.
Rachel Wilson, Chief Data Officer for Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley, combines top-tier national security experience with financial-sector cybersecurity leadership. After 15 years at the NSA, spanning counterterrorism, Olympic cyber defense, and major cyber operations, she now leads cybersecurity, fraud, data quality, and privacy risk management for the firm.
Together, they bring unmatched expertise spanning government, intel, and finance—offering a rare, 360-degree view of today’s cyber threat landscape.
Cost
The CyberBay Summit 2026 planning committee is committed to ensuring the event remains accessible and affordable for the full cybersecurity ecosystem. Registration options are designed to support broad participation:
- General admission is $250
- Discounted tickets of $200 are available for government, academia, military, and nonprofit professionals
- Deeply reduced student rate of $50 to encourage the next generation of cyber leaders to attend and engage
Survey
Insights from the inaugural CyberBay Survey, alongside a newly commissioned survey currently underway, are shaping the agenda for CyberBay Summit 2026 to address real-world cybersecurity challenges across sectors and inform CyberBay workgroup initiatives.
CyberBay Cup Competition Returns
The CyberBay Cup 2026 returns as a marquee, optional event at CyberBay Summit, bringing elite student and professional cybersecurity talent together for a live Capture the Flag (CTF) competition. Hosted by SkillBit (formerly MetaCTF), the high-energy challenge takes place on day two of the Summit and features real-world cyber scenarios, team-based competition, and significant cash prizes, showcasing the skills, innovation, and next-generation talent driving the future of digital defense.
Exhibitor and Sponsorship Packages
Building on a sold-out 2025 event, CyberBay offers unparalleled access to decision-makers and innovators shaping the future of digital defense. Sponsors and exhibitors gain high-visibility engagement with:
- National security leaders from SOCOM, CENTCOM, federal agencies, and defense contractors
- Cross-sector professionals spanning technical and non-technical roles across public and private sectors
- Entrepreneurs and emerging talent, including participants in the CyberBay Cup and the new CyberBay Innovation Challenge
More than a conference, CyberBay is a rapidly growing ecosystem where organizations can showcase innovation, influence practice, and build lasting partnerships in Tampa Bay’s cybersecurity community and beyond.
Visit https://cyberbay.org/sponsor/ for more details.
Media Welcome
Journalists interested in attending should contact Jennifer Kleman, APR, CPRC, cyber outreach manager at Jennifer437@cyberflorida.org for a complimentary ticket.
About Bellini Capital
Deploying capital through a blend of seed investment and philanthropy, Bellini Capital is seeking to create an unbreakable ecosystem of cybersecurity innovation, talent development, and ecological stewardship. The firm was founded by technology entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, Arnie Bellini, and is based in Tampa, Florida (a.k.a. CyberBay).
About Cyber Florida at USF
The Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida, commonly referred to as Cyber Florida at USF, was established by the Florida Legislature in 2014. Its mission is to position Florida as a national leader in cybersecurity through comprehensive education, cutting-edge research, and extensive outreach. Cyber Florida leads various initiatives to inspire and educate current and future cybersecurity professionals, advance applied research, and enhance cybersecurity awareness and safety of individuals and organizations.
About USF’s Bellini College of AI, Cybersecurity and Computing
The Bellini College of AI, Cybersecurity and Computing at the University of South Florida is the first named college for AI, cybersecurity, and computing, dedicated to advancing education, research and ethical innovation. The College is designed to foster interdisciplinary innovation and technology development through strong industry and government partnerships, serving as a critical talent center for CyberBay and the cybersecurity sector as a whole.