In this episode of Chat:CYBR, the hosts interview Mark Walsh, the Assistant Vice President for Government Relations at the University of South Florida (USF), to discuss the creation of Cyber Florida. The idea for Cyber Florida originated from discussions with personnel at MacDill Air Force Base, who identified cyber warfare as a major national security threat. With the support of Speaker Weatherford and the Board of Governors, Cyber Florida was established to address the shortage of cyber-trained professionals and enhance cybersecurity in the state. Over the years, Cyber Florida has provided workforce development, education, risk assessment, and training for state and local government employees. The recent formation of the new College of Cyber and AI at USF further strengthens the state's cybersecurity capabilities.