WHEN: April 4, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Caribe Royale Resort, Orlando
WHO: Nearly 1,000 high school students, teachers, and chaperones from 90 schools in 49 Florida school districts
- The five largest school districts in Florida are attending
- The smallest district in Florida is attending (LaFayette)
- 18 CTE admin attending from 12 districts
WHAT: CyberLaunch, Florida’s annual statewide high school cybersecurity competition
CyberLaunch introduces high school students to the exciting world of cybersecurity through an engaging capture-the-flag style cyber competition, inspiring speakers, and opportunities to interact with industry professionals.
In its second year, the CyberLaunch program includes resources for teachers and students new to cybersecurity, offering classroom activities and practice tools to help competitors familiarize themselves with the platform before the competition.
Media representatives are invited to cover this event to capture high-energy moments from the competition floor, educator breakout sessions, and keynote presentations by industry leaders, including Michael Melore, CISSP, Public Sector Security Evangelist, Ambassador and Chair of Nationwide SecRT – Security Leaders Round Table & Sr Associate Partner, IBM.
Upon conclusion of the competition, Cyber Florida can provide:
- High-resolution photos of teams, speakers, and key moments
- Video footage, including B-roll of the event atmosphere and competition highlights
- Video interviews with student competitors, educators, and Cyber Florida leadership
WHY: This event aligns with Cyber Florida’s mission to cultivate a robust cybersecurity workforce and support innovative solutions that enhance Florida’s digital resilience.
HOW: CyberLaunch is provided free to students and schools via funding from the Florida legislature and generous donors.
Please contact Cyber Outreach Manager Jennifer Kleman, APR, CPRC, at [email protected] to arrange to attend in person or access assets after the event. For more information about Cyber Florida and its mission to advance cybersecurity in the state, visit cyberflorida.org.
Registered Florida School Districts:
Alachua
Baker
Brevard
Broward
Charlotte
Citrus
Clay
Collier
Columbia
Dade
Dixie
Duval
Escambia
FAU Lab School
Flagler
Gadsden
Gilchrist
Gulf
Hamilton
Hardee
Hendry
Hernando
Highlands
Hillsborough
Indian River
Jackson
Lafayette
Lee
Manatee
Marion
Martin
Nassau
Okeechobee
Orange
Osceola
Palm Beach
Pasco
Pinellas
Polk
Putnam
Santa Rosa
Sarasota
St. Johns
Seminole
Suwannee
Tallahassee State College – Academy
Florida Virtual School
Volusia
Washington
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.