UWF Center for Cybersecurity Secures Historic $9.6M Federal Grant: What This Means for Our Future

The University of West Florida (UWF) has received a significant boost with a $9.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of War’s CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office. This is the largest federal grant the university has ever received, marking a major step forward in cybersecurity education.

UWF Interim President Manny Diaz Jr. expressed pride in this achievement, highlighting the university’s role as a leader in cybersecurity training. “Our Center for Cybersecurity is pioneering new paths in both education and workforce development,” he stated. “We are preparing skilled professionals to safeguard vital systems and shape the future of secure technology.”

The funding will support the CyberSkills2Work program, aimed at enhancing the national cybersecurity workforce. This initiative will create 62 educational pathways that focus on practical skills for emerging roles in cybersecurity, including those that integrate artificial intelligence. It will also offer free education to eligible military personnel, veterans, and first responders, preparing them for more than 24 industry certifications and 41 distinct job roles.

This program is particularly noteworthy for its focus on veterans and public-private collaborations. It aims to train over 4,688 cybersecurity and AI professionals in just two years. Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, Associate Vice President of the UWF Center for Cybersecurity, emphasized the importance of these fields: “Cybersecurity and AI are crucial for our nation’s defense and economic growth. Through this program, we are gearing up professionals with the skills needed for tomorrow’s digital landscape.”

The grant is not only a win for UWF but also for a coalition of institutions, including Purdue University Northwest and the University of Louisville. UWF’s coalition features several other notable universities, broadening the impact of this initiative across multiple states.

Historically, the demand for cybersecurity professionals has surged as digital threats evolve. In 2022 alone, cybersecurity job openings reached about 600,000 in the U.S., illustrating the urgent need for skilled workers in this field. As more organizations embrace digital transformation, programs like CyberSkills2Work are essential in meeting this demand.

For more details about the UWF Center for Cybersecurity, you can visit uwf.edu/cybersecurity. For more on the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, check out cyberskills2work.org.

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