Jennifer Kleman

SAVE THE DATE!

2026 Dates:

12 & 13 March 2026 

Sunshine Cyber Conference 2025 was an electrifying gathering of cybersecurity professionals, students, and industry leaders. With more than 500 attendees, the event was packed with energy, innovation, and invaluable insights. From cutting-edge keynote sessions to hands-on workshops, attendees had the opportunity to engage with some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity.

One of this year’s conference highlights was the 29 meet-ups scheduled through the Whova app, allowing participants to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas seamlessly. The outstanding speakers and thought-provoking sessions left a lasting impact, covering topics ranging from emerging cyber threats to best practices in digital defense.

A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsors!

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to:

• Podcast Sponsor: ThreatLocker
• Wifi Sponsor: Ballast
• Supporter Sponsors:
  • Carlton Fields
  • Plural Sight
  • Protiviti
  • Zscaler

Your contributions helped make this event a phenomenal success!

Shoutout to Our Exhibitors

We were thrilled to host an incredible lineup of exhibitors, each bringing unique expertise and innovations to the table:

• Armis
• Automation Strategy & Performance, Inc.
• Ballast Services
• Blackwood
• CodeBoxx
• CommHIT
• Cytrix LTD
• DG Technology Consulting and Barracuda Networks
• EC-Council
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• Florida International University Jack Gordon Institute for Public Policy
• Florida Gulf Coast University
• Global and National Security Institute at USF
• Insight Assurance
• National Cyber Security Alliance
• Orca Security
• Recorded Future
• Rubrik
• Scholarship for Services
• StingBox LLC
• Tampa Bay Economic Development Council
• The University of Tampa
• ThreatLocker
• University of South Florida School of Information and MCPA
• University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity

Looking Ahead

Sunshine Cyber Conference 2025 was a testament to the power of collaboration in the cybersecurity space. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this growing community. Thank you to everyone who attended, spoke, and contributed to making this event truly exceptional.

Stay tuned for details on Sunshine Cyber Conference 2026—we’ll be back bigger and better than ever!

Ben Price and Ben Dailey at FLGISA

“Both Ben Price and Ben Dailey are superb technical leaders in the field. They are forward-thinking and proactive workers who are invaluable assets to the team. They come into the ARCS team at the right time to augment our workforce to ensure our success for this year and beyond.”

— Bruce Caulkins, ARCS Director

Meet Ben & Ben: The Newest Members of the ARCS Team

Cyber Florida’s Aligned Realistic Cyberattack Simulation (ARCS) range is an invaluable tool for strengthening Florida’s cybersecurity workforce. As a no-cost training resource for state and local government employees, the ARCS range provides hands-on, real-world cybersecurity exercises to help teams stay prepared for evolving threats. Now, with the addition of Ben Dailey and Ben Price to the Cyber Florida team, the ARCS range is positioned to offer even more expertise and innovation.

Meet Ben Dailey, Cyber Range Coordinator

Ben Dailey comes to Cyber Florida with an informatics and information science background. With a bachelor’s in cybersecurity-focused informatics from Indiana University and a master’s in information science, he understands cybersecurity concepts and how data is structured and used—a perfect combination for managing the ARCS range.

As a Cyber Range Coordinator, Dailey ensures the range is always up-to-date and ready for training exercises. He’s also responsible for scheduling and maintaining ARCS activities, ensuring everything runs smoothly for participants.

Dailey believes ARCS is one of Florida’s best cybersecurity training tools. It allows teams to experience real-world threats in a controlled, risk-free environment, so their first encounter with a cyberattack isn’t when real data is at risk.

Dailey is focused on keeping ARCS updated with the latest threats and training tools. He also highlights the range’s extensive training catalog, which offers valuable materials for cybersecurity professionals and non-technical users.

Meet Ben Price, Cyber Range Analyst and former SOCAP Intern

Ben Price brings a unique mix of military intelligence and hands-on cybersecurity training to Cyber Florida. As a former all-source analyst in the Army, he developed analytical skills that now help him assess and improve cybersecurity training programs. However, it was his experience in the Security Operations Center Apprenticeship Program (SOCAP) that prepared him for his role with ARCS. During that time, he gained hands-on experience in cybersecurity operations, earned GIAC Cyber Threat Intelligence (GCTI) and Blue Team Level One certifications, and completed a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity at the University of South Florida.

Price optimizes and expands the ARCS range experience as a Cyber Range Analyst. He works to standardize processes, manage range events, and assess computer security incident response teams. His passion lies in the mission—helping to strengthen Florida’s cybersecurity defenses and provide world-class training to government agencies at no cost.

According to Price, the ARCS range provides more than just theory—it offers real-world cybersecurity exercises. In a risk-free environment, participants can train in incident response, red teaming, and malware analysis while experiencing simulated cyberattacks. This kind of hands-on experience is crucial for improving security postures across Florida.

One of Price’s biggest goals is to spread awareness of the ARCS range to all state and local government employees. “I believe everyone can benefit from being on the range,” he says. His message to agencies? The ARCS range is free and easy to access—visit cyberflorida.org/arcs-range to get started.

Ready to Train?

Whether you’re a cybersecurity professional or a public-sector employee looking to strengthen your cyber awareness, the ARCS range is free, accessible, and ready for you.

Visit cyberflorida.org/arcs-range today!

Cyber Florida’s phaseZERO: Incubation Innovator Seed Fund Awardee – StudySpaces

Receiving a seed fund grant from Cyber Florida at USF “has been a game-changer for StudySpaces,” says co-founder Axhens “Jesse” Mara. Along with co-founder Jamshidbek “Jam” Mirzakhalov, Mara launched StudySpaces with the goal of improving cybersecurity education through innovative, hands-on learning tools. The two met while studying at the University of South Florida, where they both earned their degrees and developed a shared passion for advancing cybersecurity training.

The funding has accelerated StudySpaces’ development, refined its platform, and brought its vision to life. This support has been transformative for a growing startup, allowing them to compete with larger industry players and expand their reach.

Looking ahead, the StudySpaces team plans to enhance its platform’s AI capabilities and expand its content engine to support more learning materials. They aim to equip more individuals with the cybersecurity skills needed to succeed by continually improving testing and training features.

For those looking to make an impact in cybersecurity education and research, the StudySpaces team emphasizes adaptability. “Focus on building tools that address real-world needs,” said Mara. “Listen to feedback, test your ideas continuously, and embrace new approaches. Practical, hands-on learning makes the biggest difference.”

Reflecting on the effect of Cyber Florida’s support, Mara shared, “The grant turned our vision into reality. StudySpaces is already helping people learn and gain skills more effectively by combining adaptive curriculum generation, testing, and tutoring. We are proud of what we’ve built and excited for the future as we continue to evolve and make a real impact.”

This is just the beginning for StudySpaces. With ongoing innovation and the support of programs like phaseZERO, the team is excited to refine their platform further and expand their influence on cybersecurity education.

By Rex Wilson, Cyber Florida Brand Manager

Jayson E. Street—the self-described hacker, helper, and human—is known for a lot of things. Not surprising for someone who robs banks for a living. (Legally, of course.) In his world, reputations tend to precede people. But among the many things Jayson is known for, one stands out: the awkward hug.

Before meeting him at Sunshine Cyber Con in 2024, I assumed an awkward hug was just a poorly executed embrace—one where both participants weren’t equally committed. That might be true in some circles, but not in Jayson’s world. When we finally met in person, he asked, “Do you want a little awkward or full throttle?” Like any self-respecting, socially awkward introvert, I went for full throttle. The result? The photo you see in this post—an unforgettable moment I’ll treasure for a long time.

But as much as I loved that interaction, it wasn’t even my most memorable Jayson moment of Sunshine 2024. That honor goes to a simple conversation we had between sessions.

While running around conducting interviews for a documentary, I kept noticing Jayson stationed at a table in a high-traffic area. Every time I passed by, he was engaged in conversation with different attendees—sometimes one-on-one, sometimes with three or four at once. Eventually, I caught a quiet moment with him and asked, Why park yourself in such a visible spot? Isn’t it exhausting to be ‘on’ all day?

“Yes,” he admitted. “But this might be the only chance some of these people have to connect with me in person, and I have to be there for them. Who knows what will come out of that conversation?”

That philosophy—being present, making space for connection—seems to define the way Jayson moves through life. And I admire it. Peopling can be hard, but the right conversations can be life-changing, soul-enriching.

This year, Jayson returns as our keynote speaker, and I couldn’t be more excited for his talk, How to Hack Like a Failure (Like Me!). But that wasn’t quite enough Jayson for us, so we also invited him to join our Do We Belong Here? podcast for a live recording—an epic combination in the making. And as the icing on the Sunshine cake, he’s bringing some of his hacker friends to launch our first-ever Hear from the Hackers track.

Want to experience all of this in person? Register for Sunshine Cyber Con today. It’s an awesome event—even if you’re not an awkward hugger.

Florida Statute 282.3185 outlines important cybersecurity requirements for local governments. The table below highlights key focus areas and provides valuable resources to support compliance efforts.

These resources are designed to make meeting the requirements straightforward and achievable. Cyber Florida’s expertise and tools can help you identify opportunities, develop strong practices, and ensure your cybersecurity goals are aligned with our state’s cybersecurity goals.

If you have any questions or need further support, please don’t hesitate to contact Cyber Florida at https://cyberflorida.org/connect/ or email [email protected].

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to strengthen cybersecurity!