CyberBay Summit 2026: Advancing the Future of Digital Defense
Tampa Bay conference unites cybersecurity, AI, national security leaders
February 5, 2026—Tampa, Fla—CyberBay Summit returns this spring to Tampa Bay as the next evolution of a high-impact conference that convenes the nation’s leading voices in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national security. Building on the success of its inaugural event last fall, the Summit will once again bring together leaders from business, investment, education, and law enforcement, this time with an expanded agenda focused on accelerating innovation, strengthening cyber resilience, and shaping the future of digital defense.
Summit Details
Set for March 11-13, 2026, at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, the event is hosted by Bellini Capital, Cyber Florida, and the University of South Florida (USF). Registration is now open at CyberBay.org/summit.
The agenda of speaker sessions and workshops will focus on:
- critical infrastructure
- cyber management
- emerging technology
- entrepreneur
- law enforcement/cybercriminology
- workforce development
Keynote Speakers
Jen Easterly, former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is one of the most influential leaders in national cyber defense. From protecting critical infrastructure to shaping the future of cyber resilience, Jen brings a perspective few can match.
Rachel Wilson, Chief Data Officer for Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley, combines top-tier national security experience with financial-sector cybersecurity leadership. After 15 years at the NSA, spanning counterterrorism, Olympic cyber defense, and major cyber operations, she now leads cybersecurity, fraud, data quality, and privacy risk management for the firm.
Together, they bring unmatched expertise spanning government, intel, and finance—offering a rare, 360-degree view of today’s cyber threat landscape.
Cost
The CyberBay Summit 2026 planning committee is committed to ensuring the event remains accessible and affordable for the full cybersecurity ecosystem. Registration options are designed to support broad participation:
- General admission is $250
- Discounted tickets of $200 are available for government, academia, military, and nonprofit professionals
- Deeply reduced student rate of $50 to encourage the next generation of cyber leaders to attend and engage
Survey
Insights from the inaugural CyberBay Survey, alongside a newly commissioned survey currently underway, are shaping the agenda for CyberBay Summit 2026 to address real-world cybersecurity challenges across sectors and inform CyberBay workgroup initiatives.
CyberBay Cup Competition Returns
The CyberBay Cup 2026 returns as a marquee, optional event at CyberBay Summit, bringing elite student and professional cybersecurity talent together for a live Capture the Flag (CTF) competition. Hosted by SkillBit (formerly MetaCTF), the high-energy challenge takes place on day two of the Summit and features real-world cyber scenarios, team-based competition, and significant cash prizes, showcasing the skills, innovation, and next-generation talent driving the future of digital defense.
Exhibitor and Sponsorship Packages
Building on a sold-out 2025 event, CyberBay offers unparalleled access to decision-makers and innovators shaping the future of digital defense. Sponsors and exhibitors gain high-visibility engagement with:
- National security leaders from SOCOM, CENTCOM, federal agencies, and defense contractors
- Cross-sector professionals spanning technical and non-technical roles across public and private sectors
- Entrepreneurs and emerging talent, including participants in the CyberBay Cup and the new CyberBay Innovation Challenge
More than a conference, CyberBay is a rapidly growing ecosystem where organizations can showcase innovation, influence practice, and build lasting partnerships in Tampa Bay’s cybersecurity community and beyond.
Visit https://cyberbay.org/sponsor/ for more details.
Media Welcome
Journalists interested in attending should contact Jennifer Kleman, APR, CPRC, cyber outreach manager at Jennifer437@cyberflorida.org for a complimentary ticket.
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).
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’s 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.
Florida CI: 2025 Cybersecurity Intelligence Assessment
Florida’s critical infrastructure is facing escalating cyber threats that put essential services and public safety at risk. This report analyzes Florida-specific incidents and broader national trends to identify the most urgent threats, including ransomware, cybercriminal activity, nation-state actors, and the growing use of AI in cyberattacks. It offers practical, intelligence-driven recommendations to help leaders strengthen cyber hygiene and enhance resilience across the state.
Jack Voltaic: City Cyber Incident Exercise
Thank you for your interest in the Jack Voltaic exercise. Registration has reached maximum capacity and is now closed.
Protecting Critical Infrastructure Together
Join the Army Cyber Institute, Cyber Florida, and partners for an immersive, multi-sector cyber exercise that follows a coordinated cyberattack on the Tampa water sector.
Dates: May 18 – 20
Location: USF Marshall Student Center, Tampa, FL
Cost: FREE
What is Jack Voltaic®?
United States military installations and their surrounding communities share an interest in the resiliency of cyber-critical infrastructure systems. In addition to civil-military interdependencies, a failure in one critical infrastructure sector can cause cascading effects across others. The Army Cyber Institute (ACI) launched the Jack Voltaic® (JV) initiative to address gaps and build resilience.
Who Should Participate?
Utility operators, IT/OT security personnel, emergency managers, city/county leaders, and military base personnel.
Why Attend?
Realistic Scenario: A high-stakes, simulated cyberattack affecting local businesses, public sector infrastructure, and nearby military bases.
Build Relationships: Enhance collaboration between public, private, and military entities to build regional resilience.
Parallel Training Platforms
- Managers/Executives use NUARI’s DECIDE® Platform for strategic decision-making and crisis management tabletop exercises.
- Cyber Responders use SimSpace’s Cyber Range for hands-on, live-fire incident response and IT/OT defense.
It Takes More Than a Certificate
Cyber threats are evolving rapidly. In 2024 alone, the U.S. reported over $50.5 billion in losses and 4.2 million cybercrime complaints. Florida ranked third nationwide – behind only California (1st) and Texas (2nd) – in both complaints and financial losses (FBI, 2024). These threats impact not only the government but also businesses, nonprofits, families, and individuals across communities.
Today’s risks include social engineering, phishing/spoofing, ransomware, extortion, data breaches, and increasingly Artificial Intelligence (AI) attacks, such as deepfakes and automated intrusions. These tactics threaten not just infrastructure, but also public trust and operational continuity. Yet many local, state, and federal employees still lack
access to effective cybersecurity education and awareness training. Existing initiatives often measure success through certificates, digital badges, or job placement, but rarely assess real-world performance, behavior change, or mission readiness. As a result, public-sector agencies remain vulnerable.
This report identifies key challenges in cybersecurity education and awareness programs for state and local government employees and presents strategies to help build cyber-literate and resilient communities across Florida – at work, in public service, and beyond.
Seminole County Table Top Exercise
Cybersecurity Tabletop Exercise tailored for the Seminole Sheriff’s Department.
Participants will engage in a dynamic tabletop exercise led by the Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI) that is crucial for mastering the skills needed to tackle simulated cyber incidents more effectively. This interactive experience will sharpen your strategic thinking and collaborative problem-solving abilities, helping you to be better-prepared for real-world cyber challenges. Seize this opportunity to elevate your capabilities!
Cyber Florida invites you to a complimentary light breakfast and lunch to connect with fellow cybersecurity professionals and industry colleagues.
Once Cyber Florida processes your registration, you’ll promptly receive a confirmation email filled with essential event details. Don’t miss out on this opportunity, stay informed and prepared for an incredible experience!
Student Spotlight: Anika Poss
Student: Anika Poss
School: West Boca Raton Community High School
District: Palm Beach County
Anika Poss is a trailblazer at West Boca Raton Community High School, where she plays a leading role in several of the school’s top STEM and cybersecurity initiatives. She serves as vice president of the school’s CyberPatriot team, is an active contributor to the Programming Club, and is a dedicated member of the VEX V5 Robotics Team, driving innovation at every turn.
Currently enrolled in AP Cybersecurity, Anika is already setting her sights on AP Cyber Networking for the coming year, underscoring her strong commitment to expanding her technical skills and advancing her future in cybersecurity.
Do you teach a great student who should be featured in our Student Spotlight?
Please complete the form below!
Teacher Spotlight: Monica Uraga
Teacher: Monica Urage
District: Miami-Dade County
Monica Uraga is the Lead Cybersecurity Magnet Teacher at Barbara Goleman Senior High School in Miami-Dade County, where she leads one of Florida’s most innovative K–12 cybersecurity pathways. With a master’s degree in Global Affairs (International Crime and Justice) from Florida International University and industry-recognized credentials including CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+, Uraga equips students with the technical knowledge and professional skills needed to succeed in cybersecurity, networking, and digital forensics careers.
Through strategic partnerships with FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing, regional employers, and community organizations, Uraga has expanded access to high quality cybersecurity education and workforce development opportunities. She has guided hundreds of students toward industry certifications, apprenticeships, and competitive cybersecurity events, with a strong emphasis on equity, immersive hands-on learning, and building a robust pipeline for national cybersecurity readiness.
As a teacher, program architect, and champion for emerging cyber talent, she is committed to opening doors for students into high-demand careers and strengthening the future of Florida’s cybersecurity workforce.
Would you like to be featured in our Teacher Spotlight? To nominate yourself or another deserving teacher, complete the interest form below!
