Cybersecurity Workforce Training Programs

Choosing a pathway to a promising career in cybersecurity.

cyber skills 2 work

Cyber Defense Analyst Pathway

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.

About this pathway

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/

Eligibility

  • 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.

Prerequisites

  • Applicants should have some knowledge of computers and networking basics.

  • Selected applicants will be invited to the prerequisite course, CompTIA a+ Cyber. The prerequisite course must be completed prior to enrollment in the Cyber Defense Fundamental program.

Course schedule

Spring 2026

Start Date: January 26, 2026 End Date: April 17, 2026

Application deadline: December 10, 2025

Pathway courses

Cyber Defense Fundamentals

Industry certifications included

CompTIA Security+
seal of cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency seal of nation centers of academic excellence in cybersecurity

The National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work, is funded by the National Security Agency National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Program and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).