News | Cyber Florida at USF

Cyber Florida Launches Timely Cybersecurity Policy Podcast
Cyber Florida Launches Timely Cybersecurity Policy Podcast

Cyber Florida Launches Timely Cybersecurity Policy Podcast

chat:CYBR offers expert insights and discussion for daily life

August 6, 2024—Tampa, Fla—Cyber Florida at USF has launched chat:CYBR, Cyber Florida’s policy podcast, dedicated to exploring the intersection of cybersecurity and policy making. chat:CYBR delves into the complex landscape of cybersecurity policy, offering expert insights and discussions on the most pressing issues facing today’s digital world.

From debates on data privacy and encryption to discussions on defending critical infrastructure and combating cybercrime, chat:CYBR equips leaders with the knowledge and understanding needed to make informed decisions and shape effective cybersecurity policies. Whether a legislator crafting new laws, a government official implementing cybersecurity strategies, or a policy advisor navigating the complexities of digital security, chat:CYBR is the go-to resource for staying ahead in the evolving realm of cybersecurity policy.

Join Cyber Florida hosts James Jacobs and Jordan Deiuliis as they unravel the challenges, explore innovative solutions, and chart the course toward a safer and more resilient digital future. Each episode takes you beyond the jargon and technical details, focusing on how cyber policy impacts our daily lives, businesses, and communities. chat:CYBR offers clear, accessible insights to keep you informed and empowered in the digital age so listeners can discover how new policies might affect their online behavior, what businesses need to know to stay compliant, and how governments are shaping the future of cybersecurity.

chat:CYBR podcasts can be found on the Cyber Florida website at https://cyberflorida.org/chatcybr/, on the Cyber Florida YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@cybersecurityfl, or on your favorite podcast platforms.

ABOUT CYBER FLORIDA
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 Launches Timely Cybersecurity Policy PodcastJennifer Kleman2024-08-08T14:47:44-04:00

Operational Technology Defender Fellowship Program
Operational Technology Defender Fellowship Program

Operational Technology Defender Fellowship Program

Elite Training for Energy Sector Front-Line Managers

The application for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) Operational Technology (OT) Defender Fellowship Program is open through August 29, 2024. This prestigious program aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of middle- and senior-level OT security managers within the U.S. energy sector, playing a crucial role in safeguarding our nation’s energy infrastructure.

About the Fellowship:

Protecting the nation’s energy infrastructure from modern threats is essential for maintaining national security, a vibrant economy, and public health and safety. Security managers are the first line of defense against cyber-enabled sabotage and physical security breaches, tackling challenges from financially motivated material theft to sophisticated cyber-attacks.

To better equip these front-line managers, the OT Defender Fellowship Program provides an intensive educational experience. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the cyber strategies and tactics used by adversarial state and nonstate actors targeting U.S. energy infrastructure, as well as insights into the U.S. government’s countermeasures.

Program Highlights:

Sponsorship and Hosting: The fellowship is sponsored by the DOE and hosted by Idaho National Laboratory (INL), with support from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI).
Target Audience: The program is designed for security managers in U.S. energy sector organizations who hold decision-making authority and oversight responsibility for operational technology systems.
Commitment: Fellows are required to attend quarterly in-person seminars, complete assigned activities between seminars, and promote information sharing. Participants must be U.S. citizens and eligible to hold an active federal security clearance.

For more information on the OT Defender Fellowship Program and how to apply, please visit https://otdefender.inl.gov/.

Operational Technology Defender Fellowship ProgramJennifer Kleman2024-08-05T16:14:30-04:00

Enhancing CI Cyber Resilience through Maturity Modeling
Enhancing CI Cyber Resilience through Maturity Modeling

Enhancing CI Cyber Resilience through Maturity Modeling

31 July 2024 – Tampa, FL: In 2023, the Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida (aka Cyber Florida at USF) conducted a statewide analysis to assess the cyber readiness of Florida’s critical infrastructure (CI) providers across 16 critical infrastructure sectors. The study – conducted on behalf of the State Legislature in fulfillment of Appropriation 2944B – offered several recommendations to improve cyber resilience and protect Florida’s people, property, and prosperity. Among these recommendations was a call to “Adopt a Florida-specific cyber maturity model for critical infrastructure providers.” Since those recommendations were offered in July of 2023, subsequent cyberattacks against CI providers in Florida have led to data breaches and service disruptions across several critical infrastructure sectors, including healthcare5, education6, the judicial system7, and essential government services8. While a commitment to maturity modeling may not prevent every such incursion, it is a critical step in improving cyber readiness across the state’s critical infrastructure sectors. Maturity models offer organizations a means to assess essential practices and metrics to guide cyber-management decisions strategically. In short, maturity models – like the Balanced Scorecard – help organizations to systematically measure the systems, processes, and practices that determine their cyber health because what gets measured, gets managed.

In recognition of the critical role that cyber resilience plays in protecting Florida’s people, property, and prosperity, this policy brief provides an overview of maturity modeling as well as some suggested steps state leaders may consider to ensure that Florida’s critical infrastructure providers are measuring the right things and deliberately aligning organizational practices with their cyber-readiness goals. This report provides (1) a brief overview of how maturity models work, including a summary of the most commonly employed models in key CI sectors; (2) a review of current cyber vulnerabilities among Florida’s critical infrastructure providers as well as an analysis of how maturity modeling can help CI providers overcome these vulnerabilities; and (3) specific recommendations for integrating maturity modeling into Florida’s ongoing cybersecurity initiatives. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution that will serve the diversity of Florida’s critical infrastructure sectors adequately, the goal of this policy brief is to provide state leaders with practical, data-driven guidance so that they can drive data analysis efforts and better incentivize and support the state’s CI providers in these increasingly critical efforts.

Enhancing CI Cyber Resilience through Maturity ModelingCyber Florida2024-07-31T15:07:34-04:00

High School CyberCon Builds Community for Future Cybersecurity Workforce
High School CyberCon Builds Community for Future Cybersecurity Workforce

High School CyberCon Builds Community for Future Cybersecurity Workforce

University of South Florida’s Annual High School CyberCon Youth Experience Summer Camp

The University of South Florida’s (USF) annual High School CyberCon youth experience summer camp is a week-long immersive experience, supported by passionate educators and volunteers. The program is designed to offer many fun and engaging opportunities to explore technology, talk to professionals about their work, and discover the multitude of interesting career paths available.

High School CyberCon offers a unique opportunity for students in grades 9-12 to dive deep into the world of ethical hacking and cybersecurity. Supported by local cybersecurity industry leaders, participants explore various careers while networking with professionals in the Tampa-area cybersecurity community. The program’s curriculum is enriched by resources from Florida CyberHub and lesson plans from the Florida Center for Instructional Technology.

Throughout the week, students engage in hands-on technical workshops, attend lectures from industry leaders, and network with cybersecurity students and professionals. The camp provides a conference-like experience, allowing students to select sessions presented by various experts and participate in interactive activities.

A Glimpse into High School CyberCon

The camp schedule is packed with informative and engaging sessions, with a different focus every day:

Monday: Introduction to Operating Systems
Tuesday: Introduction to Networking
Wednesday: Introduction to Vulnerabilities
Thursday: Introduction to Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
Friday: Cybersecurity Workforce Panel

Student Experiences

The impact of CyberCon is best understood through the voices of its participants. Ayaan Bhadouria, a 10th grader from Carrollwood Day School, shares his excitement: “I like the feel of cybersecurity. There are so many cool things about this camp you can’t find anywhere else. Everyone at camp is friendly and welcoming, making me want to try new things and learn more.”

Emily Haack, a 10th grader from Central High School, was encouraged by her parents to attend CyberCon. Already comfortable with technology from her STEM-focused middle school, Emily finds joy in programming and coding. “It’s kinda like art; you can create anything your mind and heart want to make and help people,” she says. For Emily, the best part of camp is the people, enhancing the learning experience through networking and fun.

Rocco Conte, a 12th grader from Wiregrass Ranch High School, is passionate about a career in cybersecurity. Rocco has attended CyberCon for three consecutive summers. “I feel like I belong,” she says. “The camp community is incredible, and I look forward to every day.” Rocco’s curiosity and problem-solving skills shine in activities like hardware hacking and capturing packets over the internet.

The Visionaries Behind High School CyberCon

Nathan Fisk, the camp’s founder and co-director, and an Associate Professor of Cybersecurity Education at USF, emphasizes the importance of building connections and community. “What matters is the connection to real people,” he says. “The students don’t remember everything we share this week, but they remember the connections they made.”

Julian Maguregui, Assistant Director, Operations, Florida Center for Instructional Technology echoes these sentiments. “The USF High School CyberCon aims to build a supportive community for high school students interested in cybersecurity by showcasing various career pathways. We achieve this by bringing together USF departments, colleges, student organizations, and cybersecurity professionals from both the public, private and military sectors.”

Partners Make the Difference

Camp leaders appreciate the many local cybersecurity professionals who join the fun, which grows larger each year. Volunteers conduct workshops, mentor students, and share their career experiences. With partners like Neon Temple, CISCO, Microsoft, and many more, the camp is able to offer a rich and diverse learning environment.

Brad Jungemann, a public sector account manager, is one of 10 volunteers who assisted this year from CISCO, a company that fully supports volunteer days away from work. He highlights the sense of community and the impact of professionals who volunteer. “This camp and the professionals who volunteer will have an impact on these students for their lives and careers for many years to come,” Brad says. The CISCO volunteers have professional roles in network engineering, AI, cybersecurity, and more.

Camp counselor Mars Barns agrees that having industry professionals involved makes a difference. “It’s a unique space; students won’t be bored! With professionals here volunteering their time, we can be flexible and customize to students’ interests.”

Empowering the Next Generation

High School CyberCon is more than just a camp; it’s a launchpad for future cybersecurity leaders. By fostering a passion for cybersecurity, building a supportive community, and providing hands-on experience, High School CyberCon empowers students to explore and pursue careers in this dynamic field. As we look to the future, programs like this camp are essential in preparing the next generation to defend and innovate in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity.

Thank you to our camp partners for sharing their expertise:
CISCO
Citi
Fizen Technology
HSB
IEEE Computer Society – student chapter at USF
Microsoft
Mitre
Neon Temple
Tampa Electric
The 502 Project
The University of Tampa
U.S. Secret Service
UPS
USF Federal Credit Union
USF Information Technology

High School CyberCon Builds Community for Future Cybersecurity WorkforceJennifer Kleman2024-08-16T13:58:16-04:00

CyberWorks Alumni Profile: Amber Waters
CyberWorks Alumni Profile: Amber Waters

CyberWorks Alumni Profile: Amber Waters

Amber Waters, Junior Cybersecurity Analyst, Home Depot, Tampa

In 2022, Amber Waters was a full-time student at USF and a full-time employee in health care. The 31-year-old veteran was enrolled in a Health Information Technology degree program with an eye toward entering the cybersecurity field. She knew she needed hands-on experience in cybersecurity to secure a good job but wasn’t sure how to do that when, “Boom! I saw New Skills for a New Fight promoted on LinkedIn,” Amber said.

The 22-week program, now known as CyberWorks, was designed specifically for veterans looking to reskill. With grant funding available to cover the cost for all participants, Amber saw an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

“I am a lifelong learner and had maxed out my capabilities at work. I was bored!” Amber recalled. From her research, she knew cybersecurity, with its constant need for problem-solving and innovation, was her future career goal.

She applied to the program, was accepted, and added the course to her already heavy schedule. Time management became crucial. Despite difficult times when she fell behind, the support from Cyber Florida staff helped her complete the program and gain confidence to pursue a career in cybersecurity.

In addition to the hands-on experience available through the virtual machines and lab work, the program taught foundational skills and soft skills such as networking and resume building. Amber met and learned from various cybersecurity professionals, hearing about their experiences. She realized there were many career paths in cybersecurity she could pursue.

Securing her first job in cybersecurity did not happen overnight, however. She continued to network, meet with mentors, and research companies that aligned with her own values. It wasn’t until she attended a Cyb(H)er Ally brunch that she really felt at home and made connections that led to her first cybersecurity job offer. The course prepared her well to enter the workforce as a tier 1 security operation center (SOC) analyst. This role suits her perfectly, as she enjoys learning and doing “a little bit of everything.”

Amber now enjoys the flexibility of working from home in a dynamic and rewarding career. She appreciates the security of knowing she will be able to advance in her field as she continues to learn and grow.

Ready to learn more about CyberWorks? Visit https://cyberflorida.org/cyberworks/.

CyberWorks Alumni Profile: Amber WatersJennifer Kleman2024-11-18T10:23:36-05:00

Critical Update: Resolving the Microsoft Windows and CrowdStrike Outage
Critical Update: Resolving the Microsoft Windows and CrowdStrike Outage

Critical Update: Resolving the Microsoft Windows and CrowdStrike Outage

Early this morning, a widespread fault with Microsoft Windows machines running the CrowdStrike Falcon agent caused chaos around the globe – grounding flights, taking banks, hospital systems, and media offline, and causing a massive global disruption to companies and services around the world.

What Happened?

Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said that the issue believed to be behind the outage was not a security incident or cyberattack — the problem occurred when it deployed a faulty update to computers running Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft stated, “We have been made aware of an issue impacting Virtual Machines running Windows Client and Windows Server, running the CrowdStrike Falcon agent, which may encounter a bug check (BSOD) and get stuck in a restarting state.”

Steps to Resolve the Issue

Microsoft Azure released a fix for this issue. For detailed instructions, visit: https://azure.status.microsoft/en-gb/status

1. Restart Your Virtual Machines

Many users have reported success by repeatedly restarting their VMs. Although it may take multiple attempts (as many as 15 in some cases), this has proven to be an effective troubleshooting step. You can restart your VMs through the Azure Portal or using the Azure CLI:

Using the Azure Portal: Navigate to your affected VMs and click on ‘Restart.’
Using the Azure CLI or Azure Shell: Follow the instructions here to restart your VMs: Azure CLI Documentation

2. Restore from a Backup

If you have backups from before 19:00 UTC on July 18th, restoring from these backups is a reliable solution. Here’s how you can do it if you are using Azure Backup:

Follow the instructions in this guide: How to Restore Azure VM Data

3. Repair the OS Disk

Another option is to repair the OS disk by attaching it to a repair VM. This allows you to delete the problematic file directly. Here are the steps:

Attach the OS disk to a repair VM through the Azure Portal.
Navigate to the disk and delete the file located at Windows/System32/Drivers/CrowdStrike/C00000291*.sys.
Detach the disk and reattach it to the original VM.

For detailed instructions on repairing the OS disk, refer to: Troubleshoot a Windows VM

.sys Removal Script

This script automatically finds and removes the problematic .sys file on the host. This script can be put on a USB drive and executed with administrative privileges for ease of use across multiple systems.

Ongoing Support

The affected update has been pulled by CrowdStrike. Customers that are continuing to experience issues should reach out to CrowdStrike for additional assistance.

Microsoft is continuing to investigate additional mitigation options for customers and will share more information as it becomes known. For current updates, visit: https://azure.status.microsoft/en-gb/status

Additional Resources

Critical Update: Resolving the Microsoft Windows and CrowdStrike OutageSarina Gandy2024-07-19T21:03:15-04:00

False Promises, Real Losses: Navigating the Dangers of Romance Scams

Romance scams have become a significant financial threat, preying on individuals’ emotions and vulnerabilities. In 2023, consumers have lost $1.14 billion to romance scams, making it one of the most financially damaging forms of imposter fraud.

The financial and emotional toll on victims of romance scams is severe. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that the median loss per victim in 2023 was $2,000, the highest for any type of imposter scam. Furthermore, romance scams often lead to feelings of betrayal and embarrassment, making it difficult for victims to come forward and seek help. In many cases, victims are isolated from their friends and family, further exacerbating their vulnerability.

Romance scams involve criminals adopting fake online identities to gain victims’ trust and affection. These scammers manipulate victims into sending money or providing access to their financial accounts. Tracy Kitten, the director of fraud and security at Javelin Strategy & Research, emphasizes that these scams are particularly insidious because they exploit emotional connections. Once trust is established, victims are more likely to comply with the scammer’s requests, believing in the authenticity of the relationship.

Methods Used by Scammers

Building Trust: Scammers create convincing online profiles and develop relationships over time. They often claim to be working overseas or in the military, providing plausible excuses for not meeting in person.
Emotional Manipulation: Scammers exploit victims’ emotions, claiming to need money for medical emergencies, travel expenses, or legal fees. They may also use pressure tactics and isolation attempts to maintain control over the victim (Source 1: CNBC, Source 2: FBI).
Platform Selection: Many romance scams begin on social media platforms, with scammers reaching out through unsolicited messages. According to the FTC, 40% of victims who lost money to romance scams in 2022 were initially contacted via social media (Source: CNBC).

Detecting and Preventing Romance Scams

Requests for Money: The most significant red flag is when someone asks for money. Scammers often create urgent situations to prompt financial help.
Too Good to Be True: If a new contact seems overly interested and perfect, it may be a scam.
Refusal to Meet in Person: Scammers usually avoid in-person meetings, citing various excuses.
Isolation Attempts: If someone discourages you from discussing your new relationship with friends or family, be cautious.
Pressure Tactics: Scammers may rush the relationship and pressure you into making quick decisions (Source 1: CNBC, Source 2: FBI).

Steps to Take

Reverse Search Images: Use online tools to verify the authenticity of the profile pictures.
Check Privacy Settings: Limit the information you share publicly on social media.
Take Your Time: Ask detailed questions about the person’s background and verify their answers.
Avoid Financial Transactions: Never send money or share financial information with someone you have only met online.
Meet in Public: If you decide to meet, choose a public location and inform someone you trust about the meeting.

Reporting Scams

If you encounter suspicious profiles or messages online, it’s crucial to report them promptly. Inform the platform you’re using and for more detailed guidance on reporting cybercrimes, visit Cyber Florida’s reporting page at Cyber Florida Reporting. Victims can also find support through organizations like The Cybercrime Support Network, offering counseling and recovery groups.

Information retrieved from the CNBC and the FBI online resources.

More resources:

False Promises, Real Losses: Navigating the Dangers of Romance ScamsSarina Gandy2024-07-18T13:42:35-04:00

Innovative Virtual Cyber Program for Florida Public Schools

Cyber Florida and Teaching Digital Natives Introduce Innovative Virtual Cyber Program for Florida Public Schools

No-cost curriculum supports Florida legislative requirements

July 15, 2024—Tampa, Fla— The Florida Center for Cybersecurity, also known as Cyber Florida at USF, and Teaching Digital Natives are delighted to introduce a collaboration to bring a new program to Florida Public Schools, titled Cyber Hygiene and Digital Citizenship. Developed by Teaching Digital Natives, this innovative virtual learning program features a gamified, interactive virtual reality environment designed for elementary and middle school-aged students.

In response to recent Florida legislation, the program includes curriculum covering social media etiquette to meet the mandated requirements for instruction on the social, emotional, and physical effects of social media.

To encourage students to learn about good cybersecurity practices and consider cybersecurity as a potential career path, Cyber Florida at USF is sponsoring a substantial number of seats on a first come – first serve basis in Florida public schools.

The virtual reality experience is currently offered in both English and Spanish languages and incorporates real-life locations where cyber threats are likely to take place, including in home, school, and even a local restaurant. One of the advantages of the digital curriculum is its agility. The Cyber Hygiene and Digital Citizenship course can be run synchronous or asynchronous allowing flexibility to complete on the student’s own timeline.

The program covers four core modules that include 20 lessons, five-to-seven minutes each, for about two hours of learning. These short and engaging lessons are designed to keep the attention of students and increase their learning retention.

Cyber Florida at USF is dedicated to advancing cybersecurity across Florida for grades K-12, leading cyber workforce development initiatives, and facilitating advanced applied research. Cyber Florida also engages millions through awareness campaigns and resources, safeguarding vulnerable populations and organizations.

Cyber Florida at USF Director Ernie Ferraresso says, “Incorporating Cyber Hygiene and Digital Citizenship highlights our commitment to integrate cybersecurity awareness and career education in Florida’s public schools while fulfilling our broader mission to lead the nation in cybersecurity education, research, and community engagement.”

Teaching Digital Natives is a non-profit educational initiative that provides technology, cybersecurity and digital literacy for kids. Its mission is to educate today’s youth and families and retool underserved communities to mitigate the dangers of the online world. It also aims to cultivate a strong technology workforce, making the Internet a more secure experience for everyone.

Teaching Digital Natives Director of Outreach Danielle Reyes says, “Our immersive, device-agnostic platform was created after years of research and development with leading professionals in the cybersecurity and education industries and aligns with the national standards for cybersecurity education. Additionally, our program supports the instructional requirements of House Bill 379, ensuring comprehensive education on the effects of social media. We are so excited to partner with Cyber Florida at USF to bring this program to Florida Public Schools at no cost to them.”

For more information and to submit a registration request, visit: https://www.teachingdigitalnatives.org/cyber-fl-program/.

ABOUT CYBER FLORIDA
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.

ABOUT TEACHING DIGITAL NATIVES
Founded in Miami in 2017, Teaching Digital Natives is a nonprofit initiative focused on equipping youth with essential skills in technology, cybersecurity, soft skills, and leadership. Teaching Digital Natives is dedicated to empowering young people and families with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the online world safely and confidently, fostering a secure digital environment for future generations.

Innovative Virtual Cyber Program for Florida Public SchoolsJennifer Kleman2024-08-06T13:05:16-04:00

Cyber Florida Leads Election Security Tabletop Exercise (TTX)
Cyber Florida Leads Election Security Tabletop Exercise (TTX)

Cyber Florida Leads Election Security Tabletop Exercise (TTX)

On 8 May, over sixty representatives from fourteen counties participated in an in-person TTX hosted by Cyber Florida at Hunter’s Green in Tampa. County Supervisors of Elections (SoEs), Law Enforcement (LE) personnel and those in Information Technology (IT) roles were joined by representatives from the FBI, Florida Digital Service (FLDS), the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the University of West Florida (UWF), and Florida International University (FIU) (two of Cyber Florida’s state training program partners) to address this critical topic. The FBI, CISA, and UWF spoke to the group about the importance of election security, how their organizations provide support, and how state and county officials can connect with them.

Following those informative presentations, Norwich University Applied Research Institute (NUARI) orchestrated a four-hour session using scenarios developed in concert with Cyber Florida, SoEs, and LE personnel. NUARI’s DECIDE tool virtually presented scenario events to the different sets of “players” in the room, who had to articulate how they would respond to the events. The advantages of holding the event in person became obvious as numerous discussions and networking occurred at every table and among the SoEs, LEs, and IT personnel throughout the day—organic discussions that could not be replicated in a strictly virtual environment.

Cyber Florida infused the new, state-funded cyber range (hosted by SimSpace) to provide a technical, hands-on dimension to the experience. IT personnel from three counties and University of South Florida students in Cyber Florida’s Security Operations Center Apprentice Program were confronted with various cyber events on the range. At the conclusion, IT participants were asked to share the events detected and actions taken. Notably, their presentations were clear and concise—even to those in non-technical roles—underscoring the importance of IT personnel being able to explain things in “plain English” to managers and executives who may need to take or authorize specific actions.

Feedback from participants included these comments:

“We need to revise our Incident Response Plan to include many of the things we learned today.”
“Learned a lot about resources available to us: CISA, FBI, Cyber Florida, FLDS and other state orgs.”
“The opportunity to have in-person networking was great.”
“The use of tech and opportunity to collaborate amongst many counties was great.”
“We need to codify our processes and know our key POCs.”
“We need more training events like this.”

Cyber Florida thanks the Pasco County SoE, Kristie Crump, and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (specifically Chuck Esposito), who contributed expertise and used their SoE and LE networks to help us garner the support and participation of other counties.

Cyber Florida is working with FIU to co-host another in-person TTX in the Miami area in August and will endeavor to host one in the Jacksonville area in September. As we do this, we will also need support from SoE and LE personnel in those parts of the state.

Cyber Florida Leads Election Security Tabletop Exercise (TTX)Cyber Florida2024-06-28T11:55:24-04:00

National Cyber Director Releases Workforce and Education Strategy
National Cyber Director Releases Workforce and Education Strategy

National Cyber Director Releases Workforce and Education Strategy

June 25, 2024 – Washington, D.C.: The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) today released the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy: Initial Stages of Implementation, outlining the progress made since the office initially released the strategy in 2023. In a blog post announcing the report, titled “Unleashing America’s Cyber Talent,” Assistant National Cyber Director for Workforce, Training and Education Seeyew Mo, noted that “…demand for cyber talent is only going to grow. We are at a crucial point where we all must work together – across the Federal Government, private sector, academia and non-profits, and other stakeholders…”

Mo went on to outline several initial successes, including, “unprecedented” coordination across 35 Federal agencies; a shift in Federal hiring toward a skills-based approach to IT positions; identification of Federal investment opportunities to provide more access to these careers for Americans; and the cooperation of more than one hundred of agencies, associations, foundations, and academic institutions yielding $95 million in investments, 13,000 new hires in the field, and more than 1 million trained.

Cyber Florida at USF is proud to participate in this national initiative through several programs, including CyberWorks—which is part of the national CyberSkills2Work program—and the National Centers of Academic Excellence program managed by the National Security Agency.

National Cyber Director Releases Workforce and Education StrategyCyber Florida2024-10-07T16:38:50-04:00