Summary

In this episode of Chat:CYBR, the hosts interview Mark Walsh, the Assistant Vice President for Government Relations at the University of South Florida (USF), to discuss the creation of Cyber Florida. The idea for Cyber Florida originated from discussions with personnel at MacDill Air Force Base, who identified cyber warfare as a major national security threat. With the support of Speaker Weatherford and the Board of Governors, Cyber Florida was established to address the shortage of cyber-trained professionals and enhance cybersecurity in the state. Over the years, Cyber Florida has provided workforce development, education, risk assessment, and training for state and local government employees. The recent formation of the new College of Cyber and AI at USF further strengthens the state's cybersecurity capabilities.

Keywords

Cyber Florida, USF, cybersecurity, government relations, MacDill Air Force Base, national security, workforce development, education, risk assessment, training, College of Cyber and AI

Takeaways

• Cyber Florida was created in response to the identified national security threat of cyber warfare.
• The establishment of Cyber Florida was supported by Speaker Weatherford and the Board of Governors.
• Cyber Florida has provided workforce development, education, risk assessment, and training for state and local government employees.
• The formation of the new College of Cyber and AI at USF further strengthens the state's cybersecurity capabilities.

Titles

• Expanding Capabilities: The Formation of the College of Cybersecurity, AI and Computing
• Enhancing Cybersecurity: Workforce Development, Education, and Training

Sound Bites

• "The genesis of Cyber Florida, where did it come from? It started with discussions that USF leadership was engaged in with MacDill Air Force base personnel."
• "The legislature enacted a little piece of proviso language in the state budget that didn't have any money attached to it, but it did say, we wanna have the Florida Center for Cybersecurity."
• "Cyber Florida has been a resource to the state of Florida by conducting a risk assessment, training state and local government employees, and providing workforce development and education."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chat:CYBER and Guest Introduction

02:02 The Genesis of Cyber Florida: Addressing the National Security Threat of Cyber Warfare

05:16 Building Partnerships: The Support of Speaker Weatherford and the Board of Governors

13:50 Enhancing Cybersecurity: Workforce Development, Education, and Training

21:56 Expanding Capabilities: The Formation of the College of Cyber and AI