Tampa Bay conference unites cybersecurity, AI, national security leaders
July 15, 2025—Tampa, Fla— CyberBay2025, a high-impact summit uniting the nation’s leading minds in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security, is launching in Tampa Bay this fall. The event will engage leaders in business, investment, education, and the military with a bold agenda focused on redefining the front lines of digital defense.
Set for October 13–15, 2025 at the Tampa Marriott Water Street, the event is hosted by Cyber Florida, University of South Florida (USF), The USF Bellini College of AI, Cybersecurity and Computing, USF Institute for AI+X, and Bellini Capital. Registration is now open at CyberBay.org.
“Tampa Bay is the hub of America’s cyber resilience. Established companies, startups, investors, educators, and the military are building a next-generation cybersecurity ecosystem that outpaces threats and serves as an economic engine for the country,” said Arnie Bellini, Managing Partner at Bellini Capital. “CyberBay 2025 will ignite innovation and action from classrooms to corporations to command centers.”
Content at the summit will mobilize a new era of cyber readiness capable of safeguarding infrastructure, protecting free enterprise, and defending digital borders. The agenda will focus on cybersecurity, AI+X, national security, the start-up/VC ecosystem, research and development, and education, talent recruitment, and retention.
In addition, a cybersecurity Capture the Flag competition will feature rising talent, and an AI and Cyber Talent Showcase will bring graduating students and job seekers together with leaders from Tampa’s tech industry.
Current speakers include:
- Jen Easterly, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, combat veteran, cybersecurity pioneer
- General (Ret.) Frank McKenzie, Executive Director, Cyber Florida at USF and the Global and National Security Institute, USF
- Patrick McDaniel, Professor of Computer Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Arnie Bellini, Tech Entrepreneur & Managing Partner, Bellini Capital
- Gayle Sheppard, Board of Directors, Nutanix
- Elisa Bertino, Samuel D. Conte Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, Purdue University
Early bird ticket pricing is available until July 31, 2025.
| Ticket | Early Bird Price | Regular Price after July 31 |
| General Admission | $200 | $250 |
| Gov/Academia/Military/Nonprofit | $150 | $200 |
| Student | $20 | $40 |
Sponsors for the event include ConnectSecure, ThreatLocker, and CyberFOX, among other Tampa institutions and cybersecurity organizations.
For sponsorship information, please contact Andrew Morgan at andrew@rightofboom.com.
Journalists interested in attending should contact Jennifer Kleman, APR, CPRC, Cyber Outreach Manager at Jennifer437@cyberflorida.org for a complimentary ticket.
About The University of South Florida (USF)
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university, serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
About USF 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.
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 Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI+X)
The USF Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI+X) is a university-wide research and education center for Artificial Intelligence. It conducts externally-funded research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and associated areas (X = Healthcare, Medicine, Biology, Cybersecurity, Finance, Business, Manufacturing, Transportation), using a transdisciplinary approach across Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, and Computer Science, and work with industry to transition them into products that benefit humanity in an ethical and responsible manner.
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).
Media contact:
Jennifer Kleman, APR, CPRC
Cyber Outreach Manage
Jennifer437@cyberflorida.org