Choosing a pathway to a promising career in cybersecurity.
University of South Florida - Cyber Florida
CyberWorks is Cyber Florida's cybersecurity workforce development initiative to help address our nation’s critical cyber talent shortage by preparing veterans, first responders and military spouses for new roles as cyber defense analysts. Through expert online instruction and curriculum aligned to the Department of Defense Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF) work role Cyber Defense Analyst, this intensive, 12-week program prepares non-traditional adult students to enter the cybersecurity workforce as Tier 1 Security Operation Center (SOC) Analysts. The program offers live virtual sessions with a University of South Florida instructor, virtual labs, professional development opportunities, and vouchers for the CompTIA Security+ certification examination to students who successfully complete the course.
CyberWorks is Cyber Florida's cybersecurity workforce development initiative to help address our nation’s critical cyber talent shortage by preparing veterans, first responders and military spouses for new roles as cyber defense analysts. Through expert online instruction and curriculum aligned to the Department of Defense Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF) work role Cyber Defense Analyst, this intensive, 12-week program prepares non-traditional adult students to enter the cybersecurity workforce as Tier 1 Security Operation Center (SOC) Analysts. The program offers live virtual sessions with a University of South Florida instructor, virtual labs, professional development opportunities, and vouchers for the CompTIA Security+ certification examination to students who successfully complete the course. For more information, please visit: https://cyberflorida.org/cyberworks/
Synchronous Online
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Must be a veteran, transitioning service member, first responder, military spouse, or government personnel.
Must have at least a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. (School transcripts of the highest level of education completed are required.)
Must have proof of Florida residency.
Applicants should have some knowledge of computers and networking basics.
Selected applicants will be invited to the prerequisite course, Cisco Networking Academy, Introduction to Cybersecurity. The prerequisite course must be completed prior to enrollment in the Cyber Defense Fundamental program.
Spring 2026
Start Date: January 26, 2026 • End Date: April 17, 2026
Application deadline: December 10, 2025
The National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work, is led by the University of West Florida and funded by the DoW CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office and the NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Program.