UWF Center for Cybersecurity awarded $1.3 million contract from CISA to expand cybersecurity training

The University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity has been awarded a $1.3 million contract from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, known as CISA, to further expand the cyber career pathways training through the CyberSkills2Work Program. The in-depth training program is designed to help participants launch or advance careers in cybersecurity.

"We are glad we are able to continue to grow the cybersecurity workforce through the CyberSkills2Work program and our partnership with the University of West Florida," said Michael Howell, Section Chief, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. "CISA is continually looking for innovative training solutions to develop the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, and the CybersSkills2Work program is helping us to meet that goal."

The funds will allow the Center to expand CyberSkills2Work, adding training pathways focused on Defensive Cybersecurity, Critical Infrastructure Security, and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Cybersecurity. The Center will also provide free cybersecurity training to more than 170 eligible students focusing in the three different pathways, including Defensive Cybersecurity, AI and Data Management for Cybersecurity, and AI for Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Security. The training will be available to those interested in beginning or advancing their cybersecurity careers, with an emphasis on veterans, transitioning military, first responders, military spouses, women, underrepresented minorities and state and local government personnel.

"We are grateful for CISA's continued support of the CyberSkills2Work program," said Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, associate vice president for the Center for Cybersecurity. "Our partnership with CISA will prepare cyber professionals to strengthen our nation's cyber and critical infrastructure security through cutting edge technologies and hands-on skills."

The funding follows a $1.5 million CISA contract to UWF in 2023 to successfully expand the CyberSkills2Work program. The cybersecurity workforce shortage tops 450,000 nationwide according to CyberSeek, a comprehensive cybersecurity workforce analytics website. The CyberSkills2Work program is focused on recruiting, preparing and placing the best individuals into cybersecurity working roles in our nation's critical infrastructure sectors, as well as ensuring existing personnel have the tools to develop their careers and skills on all cybersecurity endeavors.

For more information about the UWF Center for Cybersecurity, visit uwf.edu/cyber. For more information about the CyberSkills2Work program, visit cyberskills2work.org. For more information about CISA, visit cisa.gov.