Jennifer Kleman

Cyber Florida at USF Announces phaseZERO: Innovation Incubator to Boost Cybersecurity Innovation in Florida

December 2, 2024—Tampa, Fla—Cyber Florida at USF is proud to announce the launch of phaseZERO: Innovation Incubator, an innovative seed fund initiative designed to support Florida-based researchers and emerging entrepreneurs in transforming cutting-edge cybersecurity ideas into thriving businesses. With a focus on commercializing cybersecurity innovations, strengthening critical infrastructure, and creating new opportunities, phaseZERO aims to establish Florida as a national leader in cybersecurity entrepreneurship.

Modeled after the Small Business Administration’s SBIR/STTR Phase I programs, phaseZERO addresses critical gaps in seed funding and provides expert mentorship, complementing existing statewide efforts like the Florida High-Tech Corridor, I-Corps, and local incubators and accelerators.

“This program is about removing barriers for innovators,” said Dr. Manish Agrawal, Cyber Florida at USF academic director at Cyber Florida and USF professor. “By providing funding and mentorship without taking equity, we’re enabling Florida’s entrepreneurs to focus on what matters most: building solutions that strengthen our cybersecurity resilience.”

Program Highlights

For this round of funding, phaseZERO will award up to $60,000 each to up to four emerging Florida companies (not to exceed $240,000 total) selected through a rigorous, three-stage evaluation process:

• Stage 1: Applicants submit a completed application and a brief business plan for technical and business evaluation by a Cyber Florida Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR).
• Stage 2: Selected applicants pitch their plans to an evaluation panel during a virtual event.
• Stage 3: The evaluation panel selects awardees who receive funding in installments while working with an EIR to establish their business, secure further funding, and prepare for operations.

Funded companies gain access to Cyber Florida’s expansive network of state innovation ecosystem partners, including universities, accelerators, and industry leaders.

Timeline

• Application Launch: December 2, 2024
• Application Deadline: January 3, 2025
• Pitch Event Invitations: January 10, 2025
• Pitch Event: January 24, 2025

Through phaseZERO, Cyber Florida continues its mission to foster research partnerships, attract cybersecurity companies to Florida, and enable the creation of new ventures.

For more information about phaseZERO, application details, and how to get involved, visit cyberflorida.org/phasezero.

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 both current and future cybersecurity professionals, advance applied research, and enhance cybersecurity awareness and safety of individuals and organizations.

Did You Know?

While women’s participation in the cybersecurity industry is growing, women still only represent about 20-25% of the cybersecurity workforce, according to ISC2.

The Do We Belong documentary is available to watch on the Cyber Florida at USF YouTube channel.

Catch new episodes of the Do We Belong Here? podcast on your favorite platform, our website, or our YouTube channel.

A Young Professional’s Journey to Belonging in Cybersecurity

When Sarina Gandy first received the request to produce a new podcast about women in cybersecurity, she didn’t feel ready. In fact, she burst into tears! A self-described non-technical person, the 2020 USF grad had been working for about three years at Cyber Florida at USF in the marketing department and had been co-producing the No Password Required podcast for a season. While she had become adept at preparing interview questions, writing promotional copy, editing audio, and then editing video when that format was introduced, the idea of leading a new project centered on women in cybersecurity felt overwhelming.

But as her father, her greatest ally, always told her, “The world is your oyster.” She knew she had to give it her all.

A New Podcast – A New Challenge

Rex Wilson, a trusted colleague and mentor, was the one who encouraged Sarina to take on the challenge. “It’s got to be you,” he declared. And so, with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, Sarina accepted the role. There were no guidelines—just the freedom to create something meaningful. The pressure felt immense, but so was the potential impact. As Sarina recalls, “I didn’t want to fail or not make an impact.”

Despite her initial hesitation, Sarina recognized that this podcast was a unique opportunity to amplify the voices of women and underrepresented groups in cybersecurity. However, she struggled with imposter syndrome, questioning her place in an industry she didn’t feel entirely comfortable in. She turned to USF adjunct professor and fellow alumna, Michelle Angelo Dantas Rocha, a colleague with cybersecurity research expertise, for guidance. After hearing her thoughts, Sarina decided to focus on the human side of cybersecurity—the struggles, trials, and tribulations that many, including Sarina, have faced.

Building a Team

One of the first steps in bringing the podcast to life was assembling the right team. Rex suggested Tashya Denose, who had previously been involved with Cyber Florida at USF, as a co-host. It was at this point that the podcast found its name. During a brainstorming session, Tashya mentioned the word “belonging,” and it was a lightbulb moment. The podcast’s name, Do We Belong Here? perfectly captured the essence of the stories they wanted to tell. Later, Pam Lindemoen was recommended as the second host. The trio met and quickly clicked.

The podcast launched on October 25, 2022, with three episodes dropping simultaneously. The day was hectic, surreal, and filled with excitement. “It felt like I gave birth that day!” Sarina recalls with a laugh. The overwhelming response made all the hard work worth it.

“We should do something big together.”

From Podcast to Documentary

The podcast’s success led to an unexpected opportunity: a documentary. It all began with a live Do We Belong Here? podcast recording at the WiCyS (Women in Cybersecurity) annual conference in Denver in March 2023. Though the recording had its technical hiccups, the experience sparked something much bigger. At the end of the session, Dr. Ambareen Siraj, WiCyS founder, suggested, “We should do something big together.”

Rex took the suggestion to heart and began envisioning a documentary. Though Sarina was initially resistant, feeling out of her depth, she quickly embraced the challenge. The documentary project took on a life of its own, evolving from a focus on Cyber Florida to a broader story about women in cybersecurity. “It’s not about us; but we can really amplify,” Sarina realized. The documentary became a platform to tell the stories that needed to be told.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

The almost 18-month journey was not easy. Sarina faced new challenges, from interviewing high profile individuals to navigating the logistics of documentary production. At each step of the way, she found herself growing more confident. A turning point came in November 2023 at the Black Girls in Cyber Summit in Atlanta. The intimate event allowed Sarina to connect with the women she interviewed. Hearing their stories of overcoming adversity and building confidence was transformative.

“Everything I needed to learn I learned through this process of interviewing women for this documentary,” Sarina says. “They all helped me believe in myself more.”

The irony of the documentary’s title is not lost on Sarina. Initially, she didn’t feel like she belonged in the cybersecurity space. But through this journey, she discovered that while she may not be technical, her strengths—empathy, sensitivity, and the ability to turn interviews into conversations as a marketing and communications professional—gave her a unique place in the industry.

A Lasting Impact

In the end, the biggest difference Sarina made was in her own life. She learned to embrace her strengths and recognize her value in the cybersecurity community. The documentary, which started as a daunting challenge, became a testament to her personal growth and the power of storytelling.

Sarina’s journey is a reminder that making a difference often starts with believing in yourself, even when you don’t feel ready. Sarina has proven to herself that she belongs here, too.

Film Highlights Inspirational Women in Cybersecurity

September 11, 2024—Tampa, Fla—Cyber Florida at USF, in partnership with Cisco and WiCyS (Women in Cybersecurity), proudly hosted the premiere of the Do We Belong documentary last night at the historic Tampa Theatre. The cybersecurity community showed strong support, with more than 200 attendees, including Cyber Florida partners and documentary participants who traveled from out of town, gathering in person to watch the production. The event culminated nearly 18 months of planning, interviews, and relationship-building.

The 90-minute documentary, inspired by the popular Do We Belong Here? podcast, highlights the experiences of women and other underrepresented groups in the cybersecurity industry. Attendees were moved by the inspirational stories of perseverance and success shared by leading female cybersecurity practitioners, executives, and CISOs from top companies and organizations who generously contributed to the project.

While women’s participation in the cybersecurity industry is growing, women still only representation about 20-25% of the cybersecurity workforce, according to ISC2.

“This film represents the heart of what we’re striving for in cybersecurity—diversity, inclusion, and the understanding that everyone belongs here,” said Sarina Gandy, co-producer of the documentary and a key voice in its creation.

Following the screening, a lively Q&A panel with the podcast team took place, featuring:

• Pam Lindemoen, Chief Information Security Officer Advisor, Cisco
• Tashya Denose, Reality Labs Security Program Manager, Meta
• Sarina Gandy, Cyber Communications & Marketing Analyst and Do We Belong Here Podcast Producer, Cyber Florida at USF
• Rex Wilson, Brand Manager, Cyber Florida at USF

The documentary is available to watch on the Cyber Florida at USF YouTube channel.

Interviews with documentary participants and the podcast team can be arranged with Cyber Outreach Manager Jennifer Kleman, APR, CPRC at jennifer437@cyberflorida.org.

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 both current and future cybersecurity professionals, advance applied research, and enhance cybersecurity awareness and safety of individuals and organizations.

Cyber Florida at USF and FloridaMakes Forge Partnership to Bolster Cybersecurity and Economic Resilience in Florida

August 30, 2024—Tampa, Fla—In a strategic move to fortify local economies across the Sunshine State, Cyber Florida at USF and FloridaMakes proudly announce a collaborative partnership aimed at amplifying economic growth and resilience while bolstering cybersecurity measures and awareness. The pervasive and costly cybersecurity threats facing businesses in Florida pose a significant challenge, particularly for small businesses with limited resources to recover from cyber incidents such as data breaches, ransomware attacks and business email compromise. Moreover, critical infrastructure businesses, including critical manufacturing and defense industrial base (DIB) companies, have increasingly become targets for threat actors due to their substantial impact on state and national security.

“This partnership with FloridaMakes is a significant step forward in our mission to help protect and empower Florida’s critical industries,” said Ernie Ferraresso, Director of Cyber Florida at USF. “By combining our cybersecurity expertise with FloridaMakes’ deep industry knowledge, we are not only enhancing the resilience of our manufacturing and defense sectors but also ensuring that businesses across the state can thrive in a more secure digital environment.”

Cyber Florida at USF, dedicated to advancing cybersecurity training and awareness initiatives across the state, offers an array of resources ranging from research and development to community grant programs and training opportunities. Central to its mission is the Critical Infrastructure Risk Assessment (CIRA) platform, a vital tool developed in partnership with the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Lab (INL) and based on the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity Evaluation Tool (CSET) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF).

FloridaMakes has experience working with the state’s manufacturing and defense industries to provide awareness training on information security vulnerabilities and best practices. FloridaMakes also has substantial experience facilitating assessments of information security posture, policies and preparedness of Florida manufacturers and defense contractors in relation to federal and customer requirements.

“This partnership exemplifies the synergy between industry and government in addressing cybersecurity challenges head-on,” said Kevin Carr, President and CEO of FloridaMakes. “By joining forces, we are not only bolstering the security of Florida’s manufacturing and critical infrastructure sectors but also positioning the state as a national leader in secure manufacturing and critical infrastructure protection.”

Cyber Florida at USF, in collaboration with INL, integrated the new NIST CSF 2.0 update earlier this year into the CIRA platform. This integration represents a significant update to the cybersecurity assessment capabilities available to enterprises and institutions across the state and will be made available to manufacturing and DIB companies statewide through the joint efforts of Cyber Florida and FloridaMakes.

For additional information or to arrange an interview, please contact Cyber Outreach Manager Jennifer Kleman, APR, CPRC at jennifer437@cyberflorida.org.

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 both current and future cybersecurity professionals, advance applied research, and enhance cybersecurity awareness and safety of individuals and organizations. Visit cyberflorida.org for more information and valuable resources.

ABOUT FLORIDAMAKES
FloridaMakes is a statewide, industry-led, public-private partnership operated by an alliance of Florida’s regional manufacturer associations and organizations that serve manufacturers. FloridaMakes’ sole mission is strengthening and advancing Florida’s economy by improving the competitiveness, productivity and technological performance of its manufacturing sector, with an emphasis on small- and medium-sized firms. It accomplishes this by providing services focused on three principal value streams: technology adoption, talent development, and business growth. FloridaMakes is the representative of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network in the state of Florida, a program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information, visit www.FloridaMakes.com.