Florida employers gain competitive edge as USF expands federally funded cybersecurity program

By Tina Meketa, University Communications and Marketing

A USF program designed to meet the critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals is now providing measurable benefits to businesses and government organizations across Florida. Due to its success, the university is nearly doubling enrollment, offering it for free to 400 military veterans, first responders and public-sector professionals.

Backed by an initial $2 million federal investment secured by U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, the InfoSec Governance, Risk and Compliance Analyst program has already provided intensive cybersecurity training to 250 employees statewide. Graduates are helping implement security controls that reduce cyber risks and strengthen organizational resilience.

The six-week online certificate program equips participants with advanced skills in cybersecurity risk management, regulatory compliance and incident prevention. Participants now play a critical role in safeguarding sensitive data and navigating complex security frameworks within their organizations.

"The USF InfoSec GRC Analyst program took me from a rudimentary understanding of what a GRC analyst does to being able to better communicate to my customers what the process will be when they decide to implement a cybersecurity framework," said Andrew Ehrich, senior IT specialist with Softrim in Estero. "I am working directly with other GRC analysts to implement policies and procedures for my clients that have that requirement. In my opinion, every IT professional should consider taking this class as it exposes them to foundational principles of information security."

Led by USF's Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education, graduates of the USF InfoSec GRC Analyst program earn a digital micro-credential from USF - signaling their readiness to address today's cybersecurity challenges. According to Lightcast, there are more than 7,000 information security analyst job openings in Florida.

"Programs like these will go a long way to defending Tampa Bay, Florida and the U.S. from nefarious actors. We are planning to leverage the work we have done in this program to provide this training to more individuals with the intention of building a very capable cyber workforce in the Tampa Bay area and beyond," said Mark Koulianos, assistant vice president of the Office of University Community Partnerships. "My team and I are very grateful for Congressmen Steube's leadership in this critical area and his office's partnership in this endeavor."

Priority registration is provided to military veterans, first responders and public-sector professionals. It is open to the public of a fee. Learn more about how to apply. The deadline is Dec. 19.