Tampa Bay’s growing cybersecurity ecosystem

CyberBay Summit 2026 brought together leaders from across industry, government, academia, and defense to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of the digital age: protecting our systems, infrastructure, and data while preparing the next generation of cyber defenders.

Held at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, the three-day conference welcomed cybersecurity educators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, professionals, researchers, and students from across the region and beyond. They explored emerging technologies, partnerships, and workforce initiatives shaping the future of cybersecurity and helping Tampa Bay become a growing national hub for cyber innovation.

A collaborative approach to cybersecurity

From the opening sessions through the closing events, the Summit emphasized a central theme: cybersecurity is not a challenge any single sector can solve alone.

Across dozens of panels, workshops, and technical sessions, speakers explored topics ranging from artificial intelligence and threat intelligence to critical infrastructure protection and workforce development. The discussions reflected the shared responsibility among businesses, defense partners, public agencies, and universities to strengthen cyber resilience.

Leaders from government, industry, and academia highlighted the need to align training, research, and operational experience to address the growing global cybersecurity workforce gap.

Programs like the Security Operations Center Apprenticeship Program (SOCAP), operated by Cyber Florida at USFhttps://cyberflorida.org/, demonstrate how collaborative initiatives can prepare students and early-career professionals to defend real-world systems while supporting public-sector organizations.

That commitment to workforce development was underscored during the summit when Tampa-based cybersecurity company and CyberBay lead sponsor, ConnectSecure, announced a $100,000 investment to expand SOCAP, adding five new student apprentices to the program.

The initiative provides hands-on cybersecurity training while helping protect Florida organizations from real cyber threats, an example of how industry investment can directly support workforce readiness.

Keynote speakers set the tone for cybersecurity’s future

Two dynamic keynote speakers helped anchor CyberBay Summit 2026, offering timely perspectives on the evolving cybersecurity landscape and the shared responsibility required to defend it.

Jen Easterly, former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and now CEO of RSAC, delivered a powerful message on national resilience, emphasizing the importance of public-private collaboration in protecting critical infrastructure and strengthening the nation’s cyber defenses.

Rachel Wilson, a seasoned cybersecurity executive and former intelligence leader, brought a global perspective to the stage, highlighting how geopolitical dynamics, emerging technologies, and sophisticated threat actors are reshaping risk for organizations of all sizes.

Together, their insights reinforced a central theme of the summit: that cybersecurity is not just a technical challenge but a strategic imperative that requires coordination across academia, defense, government, and industry.

Showcasing innovation and emerging technologies

CyberBay Summit also spotlighted innovation across the region’s rapidly growing cybersecurity ecosystem through the Democratizing Cybersecurity Innovation Challenge, a competition designed to accelerate practical security solutions for real-world use.

Developed by CyberBay’s Innovation Solutions Working Group and led by Manish Agrawal, professor at the University of South Florida and academic director at Cyber Florida, the challenge focuses on identifying cybersecurity technologies that are not only effective but also usable and affordable for organizations that may lack large security budgets.

During the Summit, three finalist companies pitched their solutions live to a panel of investors and technology leaders from organizations including Tampa Bay Wave, Embarc Collective, and Florida Funders.

The competition’s $70,000 non-dilutive grant, provided by Bellini Capital, was awarded to Actualization.ai for its SquarePact platform, which helps make cybersecurity tools more accessible and cost-effective for small and medium-sized organizations. The company is led by John Licato, USF associate professor, researcher, and entrepreneur focused on advancing practical applications of human and machine reasoning in cybersecurity.

Two additional companies, HACKsee and RedShield, were also recognized as finalists for their innovative approaches to strengthening cybersecurity capabilities.

By bringing together startups, investors, researchers, and industry leaders, the Innovation Challenge demonstrated how collaboration within the CyberBay ecosystem is helping accelerate the development of practical cybersecurity technologies that can be deployed in organizations today.

Hands-on competition and talent development

CyberBay also served as a proving ground for rising cybersecurity talent.

Students and professionals competed in multiple cybersecurity challenges, including capture-the-flag competitions and technical exercises designed to test skills in threat analysis, problem-solving, and system defense.

And the 2nd Annual CyberBay Cup winners are…

1st Place – $20,000
Reigning Champions: Squid Proxy Lovers
• Brayden Borges (BraydenPikachu)
• Andrew Effenhauser (corgo)
• Salah Abbas (outwrest)

2nd Place – $10,000
lamenting llamas
• Beau B (corial)
• Jason Mercier (KA0x)
• Non Dylan (bobdylan)
• turingdot (turingdot)

3rd Place – $5,000
Waka Flocka Flocto – Hard in the plate
• Varun Iyer (Varoon5)
• Vishwa Iyer (vishiswoz)
• Arjun Lalith (flyingpies)

4th Place – $2,500
Kali Pro
• Derek Rook (r00k)
• Jose Rodriguez (joehacksalot)
• Ethan Puchaty (n0decaf)
• Cooper Wiegand (shiloh)

5th Place – $2,500
Five Knights at Bellini’s – University of Central Florida
• Ardian Peach (oatzs)
• Caitlin Whitehead (Knittingirl@UCF)
• Tyler Waddell (brosu)
• Andy Pompura (vv10n)

Memorable moments

Beyond the technical discussions, CyberBay Summit also delivered memorable experiences that brought attendees together, including special presentations, networking receptions, and entertainment that celebrated the energy and innovation driving the region’s cybersecurity community.

A special lunch presentation, Beyond the Imitation Game – From Alan Turing and James Bond to e-Commerce and Quantum Encryption, explored the fascinating history of codebreaking and the enduring impact of the Enigma machine on modern cybersecurity.

The supporters who made it possible

CyberBay Summit would not have been possible without the strong support of its exhibitors and sponsors.

Organizations across the cybersecurity ecosystem contributed their expertise, leadership, and resources to make the Summit a success, sharing new technologies, showcasing solutions, and building connections that will help strengthen cybersecurity resilience across the region.

Their participation helped create an environment where attendees could learn from one another and forge new collaborations.

Luminary Sponsor: ConnectSecure

Visionary Sponsors: CyberFox and SkillBit

Innovator Sponsor – Podcast: ThreatLocker

Connector Sponsor – Enigma Presentation: Rapid7 Women

Exhibitors:

Bellini Center for Talent Development, USF
Bellini College, USF
BlackCloak
Caju AI
CommHIT
Columbia Southern University
Conceal, Inc
ConnectSecure
CyberFox
Devicie
Digicert
EC-Council
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
Florida International University Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy
Fox Pick
Ginger Cybersecurity
Jones & Bartlett Learning
Live Wildly
Maritime Hacking Village
Mayweather Group
MSP Influencer
Netsync
Rapid7
Resecurity
Saint Leo University
SimSpace
SkillBit
Tampa Bay Wave
ThreatLocker
TierPoint
University of South Florida Cybercriminology
USF Muma College of Business
University of South Florida Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education
University of Tampa
University of West Florida
Vilkas Cybersecurity
Wolfeevo

Building the future of cybersecurity in Tampa Bay

Events like CyberBay Summit demonstrate how partnerships between academia, defense, government, and industry can accelerate innovation, develop talent, and strengthen our collective cyber defenses.

By bringing together a diverse audience from across the cybersecurity community, CyberBay plays an important role in shaping the region’s cyber ecosystem and preparing the workforce to defend tomorrow’s digital infrastructure.

Continuing the momentum

While CyberBay Summit serves as the region’s annual gathering for the cybersecurity community, the work continues long after the conference ends. Through CyberBay Working Groups, collaboration takes place year-round to turn ideas into action and advance practical cybersecurity solutions.

Commissioned by Bellini Capital and supported by institutional partners, including Cyber Florida, the working groups were created to address the key challenges identified in the CyberBay 2025 community survey. These groups focus on closing critical gaps in cybersecurity infrastructure, bridging the divide between thought leadership and real-world implementation, and maintaining momentum across the region’s cybersecurity ecosystem between annual summits.

Each working group is led by distinguished experts and focuses on a core pillar of the cybersecurity landscape: strengthening undergraduate cybersecurity education, accelerating innovation in practical security solutions, and advancing workforce development strategies to build a stronger regional talent pipeline. Leaders include USF professors and researchers Sriram Chellappan, Manish Agrawal, and Michelle Angelo-Rocha.

Building on the momentum of the CyberBay Summit 2026 and insights from the CyberBay 2026 survey, a new Cyber Insurance Working Group is being launched to address one of the most influential forces shaping cybersecurity practices today. Survey findings identified cyber insurance as a key driver for improving cyber hygiene across organizations, underscoring its growing role in risk management and resilience.

This new working group will bring together stakeholders from across industry, government, and the broader cybersecurity community to focus on two primary objectives: normalizing insurability criteria and simplifying risk management practices. By aligning standards and reducing complexity, the group aims to clarify and make more attainable cybersecurity expectations for organizations of all sizes.

CyberBay is actively seeking participants to help shape this effort and contribute their expertise. Those interested in joining the Cyber Insurance Working Group can sign up on this form.

Together, these working groups ensure that CyberBay is more than a conference; it is an ongoing collaborative effort to strengthen Florida’s cybersecurity capabilities and build a resilient digital future. Organizations and professionals interested in contributing to these initiatives are encouraged to get involved and help shape the next phase of CyberBay’s impact.

But wait! There’s more! Let’s keep the conversation going…

While CyberBay Summit 2026 may have concluded, the conversations and connections continue year-round, including through the CyberBay Podcast.

Featuring real people and real stories from the heart of Tampa Bay’s cybersecurity community, the podcast offers a more personal look at the individuals shaping the field. Each episode explores the journeys, values, and unexpected paths that brought today’s cyber leaders, innovators, and rising talent into the industry and into the CyberBay ecosystem.

From career insights and emerging tech trends to stories of growth, purpose, and community, the CyberBay Podcast goes beyond job titles to highlight the human side of cybersecurity. Tune in to stay connected, inspired, and engaged with the voices driving CyberBay forward.

Don’t miss a single CyberBay update. Follow the momentum on the CyberBay LinkedIn page and the CyberBay website. See you next March for CyberBay Summit 2027!

Meet Isaac Ward

When Isaac Ward first started exploring the early internet and the history of computers in high school, he did not yet know it would lead him to a career in cybersecurity. But late-night dives into forums discussing cybercriminal groups, the dark web, malicious code, and major data breaches sparked something.
“I thought it was cool,” he says. “I liked the unknown and mysterious aspect.”

That curiosity eventually led him to study cybersecurity at the University of South Florida, drawn by both a full-ride scholarship and Tampa’s growing reputation as one of Florida’s largest cybersecurity hubs. Today, Isaac is bringing that same curiosity and drive to his new full-time role as a Cybersecurity Analyst in Cyber Florida’s Security Operations Center Apprentice Program (SOCAP).

Taking a Leap: Finding the Right Challenge

Near the end of his junior year at the University of South Florida, Isaac was already gaining hands-on experience in cybersecurity research while working at USF’s Institute of Applied Engineering (IAE). It was a strong opportunity he appreciated, but something was missing.

The institute had just begun building out a “cyber lab” initiative when Isaac arrived. While promising, it wasn’t yet the immersive, operational experience he was looking for. At the same time, he was balancing a heavy course load and side projects. Still, he felt the pull to push himself further.

“I needed more of a challenge and a more realistic experience of what I could expect in the field,” he explains.

During winter break, Isaac began searching for internships and part-time roles that would provide that real-world exposure. When he came across a job posting from Cyber Florida, he admits he didn’t check every qualification box.

“I remember meeting very few of the job requirements and just applying on a whim,” he says.

At the time, he knew little about Cyber Florida or SOCAP beyond having seen the organization mentioned on LinkedIn. But after being invited to interview, he dug deeper into the program and quickly realized it was exactly the kind of hands-on, operational environment he had been searching for.

The interview process itself stood out.

“It was a bit ‘different’ than normal interviews,” he says with a smile. “That’s a secret for future applicants. But it reflected the relaxed, casual work environment at Cyber Florida.”

In January 2025, Isaac officially joined the SOC as a student assistant, a decision that would ultimately shape the trajectory of his cybersecurity career.

Finding His Path to SOCAP

Like many students entering cybersecurity, Isaac knew the field was broad but wasn’t yet sure which direction to specialize in. After hearing about security operations centers while researching career paths, he decided to see firsthand what SOC work was really like.

As a SOC student analyst, he quickly discovered there was no such thing as a “typical day.”

“New alerts, incidents, news, and the freedom to choose what projects I wanted to pursue meant that there was no typical day in the SOC.”

That dynamic environment proved to be the right fit. When the opportunity arose to transition into a full-time role after graduating in December 2025, the decision was easy.

“SOCAP was not just a program to pick up new skills,” Isaac explains. “It was an information exchange, an environment where I could learn from different analysts’ thought processes, methods, and real-world knowledge.”

Making an Impact as a Student Analyst

During his time as a student analyst, Isaac made substantial contributions to SOCAP’s operations and threat intelligence efforts. He:

• Conducted incident response investigations in collaboration with the USF IT team
• Resolved more than 500 security alerts
• Developed automation tools to enhance SOC operations and cut response times
• Authored and published two Threat Advisories in Cyber Florida’s Threat Room
• Established the SOCAP Honeypot project to collect threat intelligence and analyze attacker behavior

For Isaac, publishing threat advisories and assisting with digital forensic investigations for clients, including USF, were particularly meaningful.

“Writing and publishing reports on current threats that others can read has a meaningful impact,” he says. “Working with USF IT to conduct investigations is fulfilling. I got to experience real incident response procedures while helping to strengthen the university’s security posture.”

Resolving hundreds of alerts also sharpened critical skills. Rather than seeing repeat alerts as “noise,” Isaac viewed them as opportunities to refine pattern recognition, distinguish anomalies from normal behavior, and improve workflow efficiency, foundational skills for any effective SOC analyst.

Building Threat Intelligence from the Ground Up

One of Isaac’s signature contributions was setting up SOCAP’s T-Pot Honeypot project.

Having previously experimented with honeypots, he saw an opportunity for Cyber Florida to collect its own threat intelligence, analyze attacker tactics, and potentially share insights with the broader security community. The volume of automated malicious traffic he observed was eye-opening.

“It surprised me just how much automated traffic is filtered out by network and email security tools behind the scenes. It showed that without strong filtering and access controls, an organization would succumb to bots and spam almost immediately.”

Through threat advisories and intelligence sharing, Isaac helped clients stay ahead of emerging threats by providing actionable indicators of compromise (IOCs) and clear vulnerability breakdowns, empowering organizations to build stronger detection and prevention rules.

Stepping Into Leadership

Now a full-time Cybersecurity Analyst employed by Cyber Florida, Isaac’s responsibilities have expanded. In addition to working with SIEM, DLP, IDP, EDR, and other security tools to detect and respond to threats, he also provides technical support, creates documentation, and contributes to ongoing investigations.
With that shift has come a new perspective.

“As a full-time employee, I feel more accountable in representing the SOCAP and acting as a leader for student apprentices. It has encouraged me to explore subjects beyond my comfort zone so I can broaden my knowledge and have more to share.”

Isaac particularly enjoys working with SIEMs and EDR platforms, such as Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, SentinelOne Singularity, and CrowdStrike Falcon. Optimizing queries to surface high-value data efficiently is a challenge he genuinely enjoys.

“Tough investigations are fun,” he says. “When they’re too easy, I don’t feel like I’m growing. Difficulty isn’t an obstacle; it’s a challenge.”

Looking Ahead: AI and the Future of SOC Operations

Over the next year, Isaac is focused on expanding SOCAP’s threat intelligence capabilities and exploring the role of agentic AI in security operations.

He’s particularly interested in how AI can enhance SOC workflows, from automation and collaboration to improving report structure and efficiency. His goal is to continue publishing threat advisories, strengthen intelligence correlation using the T-Pot environment, and to help new student analysts develop their own methodologies.

For students aspiring to work in a SOC, his advice is clear:
“Learn how to automate or perfect your workflow through scripting, AI, or automation platforms. Balancing time and effort is key. Knowing when to dig deeper into an alert and when to recognize a false positive is a valuable, learned skill.”

From a high school student intrigued by the mystery of cyber threats to a full-time analyst strengthening Florida’s cybersecurity posture, Isaac Ward represents the power of hands-on experience, curiosity, and collaboration.

We’re proud to welcome him into this next chapter at Cyber Florida and excited to see the impact he’ll continue to make.