Center for Cybersecurity

Launching Florida’s Cyber Coast

At the UWF Center for Cybersecurity, we’re bridging the gap from the real world to the cyber world.

The UWF Center for Cybersecurity is a regional hub for cybersecurity education and research, including multidisciplinary programs and certificates, research opportunities, outreach activities, and industry partnerships.

National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE-C)

The University of West Florida has been designated by the National Security Agency as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C).

Center for Cybersecurity Awarded $9.6 Million DoW Grant to Expand National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program

The University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity has been awarded a $9.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of War CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office to expand the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development program. This is the largest federal grant awarded to the University to date. The program will prepare over 4,688 professionals over the next two years for 24 industry certifications and 41 emerging cybersecurity and AI work roles. Three coalitions, including the UWF-led CyberSkills2Work Coalition, will offer 62 new educational pathways that prepare AI-enabled cybersecurity professionals and provide free education and career development for eligible transitioning military, first responders, veterans, military spouses, and government personnel.

Read the press release here.

UWF Receives $32.5 Million Triumph Grant to Advance Cybersecurity and Computational Research

The grant will also allow UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity to leverage its role as a national leader in cybersecurity research and education programs to enable transformational impact across Northwest Florida and strengthen the region’s economic and workforce development. The Center will integrate AI into its initiatives and expand collaborations with defense, private sectors, and regional partners to develop innovative solutions and provide long-lasting benefits to Northwest Florida. Read the full press release here.

Center Announces Spring 2026 UWF Florida Cybersecurity Training Program Courses

The UWF Florida Cybersecurity Training Program Spring 2026 course schedule has been published. The schedule includes industry certification prep courses, technical courses, and 1-day exercises. The UWF Florida Cybersecurity Training Program, offered by the University of West Florida (UWF) Center for Cybersecurity, provides FREE upskilling and reskilling cybersecurity training for eligible Florida, state university, state college, K12, county, and city employees. The program aims to equip state and local government personnel with up-to-date cybersecurity knowledge, skills, and credentials to secure our State. Registration opens online at 8:00 am (Central) on December 8, 2025 at uwf.edu/cybertraining.

National Cybersecurity Employers Network for the CyberSkills2Work^® Program Goes Live

We are thrilled to launch the National Cybersecurity Employers Network for the CyberSkills2Work® Program. The National Employers Network Portal allows employers to connect with program learners and graduates across the country, and post internship, apprenticeship, and job opportunities.

Employers can connect with 3300+ CyberSkills2Work® learners and alumni across the nation! Learners and alumni can post their resumes and highlight their clearances and certifications to employers.

Joining is FREE! Simply complete the brief application form and we will get back to you.

Workforce Development Programs and Scholarships

The UWF Center for Cybersecurity is a national leader in cybersecurity workforce development and offers several programs and scholarships for training, upskilling, and reskilling.

National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program (CyberSkills2Work®)

UWF leads the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work®, a nationally scalable and sustainable cybersecurity workforce program to rapidly expand the number of qualified cybersecurity and AI professionals.

The University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity has been awarded a $9.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of War CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office to expand the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program. The program will prepare over 4,688 professionals over the next two years for 24 industry certifications and 41 emerging cybersecurity and AI work roles through 62 new educational pathways. The program provides free education and career development for eligible transitioning military, first responders, veterans, military spouses, and government personnel. Learn more at CyberSkills2Work.org.

The National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work®, is led by the University of West Florida and funded by the DoD CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office and the NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Program.

UWF CyberSkills2Work^TM Program

As a part of the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, the UWF CyberSkills2WorkTM program provides free cybersecurity training and career development for eligible transitioning military, first responders, veterans, military spouses, and government personnel to prepare them for rewarding cybersecurity and AI work roles. Learn more and apply now here.

This program is part of the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work®, which is led by the University of West Florida and funded by the DoD CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office and the NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Program.

UWF Florida Cybersecurity Training Program

The UWF Florida Cybersecurity Training Program, offered by the University of West Florida (UWF) Center for Cybersecurity, provides FREE upskilling and reskilling cybersecurity training for eligible Florida state, university, state college, K12, county, and city employees. Learn more at the program website.

Academic Program Scholarship Opportunities

ACES SFS Program

The NSF CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program aims to recruit and train the next generation of highly skilled cybersecurity professionals. The program's goal is a full student placement in government cybersecurity positions with at least 80 percent of scholarship recipients securing placement in an executive agency.

DoD Cyber Service Academy Scholarship Program

In 2001, the National Defense Authorization Act established the DoD Cybersecurity Scholarship (formally renamed the DoD Cyber Service Academy Scholarship Program in 2024). The law is enacted to promote the education, recruitment, and retention of rising junior and senior undergraduate and graduate/doctoral students in cybersecurity studies. Students selected as CyberScholars will receive the full cost of tuition, books (from the institution/degree-specific required book list, not books that are optional for the class), required fees (including health care), and a stipend to cover room and board.