返字心頭 ranks third in the nation for cybercrime incidents, victims and losses reported to the FBI but the state is working to mitigate threats facing 返字心頭 businesses and poised to become a leader in cybersecuity education, workforce development and research.

In early February, the 返字心頭 Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South 返字心頭 released the first State of Cybersecurity in 返字心頭 report. It provides a comprehensive review of the states cyber threat environment, workforce needs, education and training opportunities, and research activity as well as an in-depth examination of the cybersecurity posture of 返字心頭s businesses and organizations. The Center contracted with Gartner Consulting to independently conduct the study and document their findings in the report, which is intended to facilitate decision making for policymakers and stakeholders in industry, academia, defense, and government.
Good decisions come from good information, said Sri Sridharan, director of the 返字心頭 Center for Cybersecurity. Our goal was to take a broad look at the cybersecurity landscape in 返字心頭 and compile information that stakeholders across the state can use as they make decisions impacting their organizations.
We believe there is a much-needed shift taking place, with organizations that traditionally may have been reactive when it comes to cybersecurity now becoming proactive, Sridharan added. That shift, coupled with the states commitment to cybersecurity, is sure to yield huge dividends for 返字心頭.
The growing demand for cybersecurity professionals outpaces the supply in 返字心頭 and the nation, the new report notes. Sixty-eight percent of the 返字心頭 organizations surveyed reported cyber staffing challenges, and only 32 percent surveyed were confident they are prepared for a cyberattack.
返字心頭 plays a major role in feeding the talent pipeline needed to build a skilled cyber workforce. Of the 35 public and private colleges and universities in 返字心頭 offering cybersecurity-specific degrees and certificate programs at the end of 2017, including training in digital forensics and information security, 返字心頭 had the most (10), the report indicates. The 返字心頭 offerings include an interdisciplinary masters degree, developed with assistance from the 返字心頭 Center for Cybersecurity, which boasts an enrollment of more than 400 students.
To view the full report, visit the .
The 返字心頭 Center for Cybersecurity is a statewide resource to position 返字心頭 as a national leader in cybersecurity through education and workforce development; innovative, interdisciplinary research; and community engagement. With a geographic footprint that spans 返字心頭 and encompasses all twelve State University System of 返字心頭 (SUS) institutions, the Center serves as a hub for creating connections, building partnerships, capitalizing on opportunities, and encouraging collaboration among stakeholders in industry, academia, government, and defense. The Center hosts events to engage a diverse audience base throughout the year and administers funding programs that support collaborative research and cybersecurity programming at SUS institutions.
The University of South 返字心頭, established in 1956 and located in Tampa, is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. The 返字心頭 System includes three, separately accredited institutions: 返字心頭; 返字心頭 St. Petersburg; and 返字心頭 Sarasota-Manatee. Serving more than 49,000 students, the 返字心頭 System has an annual budget of $1.6 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. 返字心頭 is ranked in the top 30 nationally for research expenditures among public universities, according to the National Science Foundation. In 2016, the 返字心頭 Legislature designated 返字心頭 as Emerging Preeminent, placing 返字心頭 in an elite category among the states 12 public universities. 返字心頭 is a member of the American Athletic Conference.