Florida Center for Cybersecurity Launches the Florida CyberHub
TAMPA, FL – The Florida Center for Cybersecurity (FC2), located on the campus of the University of South Florida, has announced the launch of the Florida CyberHub, a virtual environment and shared cybersecurity resource center to support cybersecurity education, workforce development, information sharing and research across the state. The Florida CyberHub offers a comprehensive array of resources, including a cyber range, course catalog, secure sandbox, capture the flag, community forum and desktop-as-a-service.
"Our primary objective in establishing the Florida CyberHub was to provide the State University System of Florida with the type of resources that will add value to their cybersecurity programs and research efforts," says Sri Sridharan, director of the Florida Center for Cybersecurity. "Using these resources, students will be better prepared to meet workforce needs by having access to hand-on learning and skills development. And cybersecurity researchers will have opportunities to connect with other researchers across the state—all in a safe and secure environment."
Located online at www.floridacyberhub.org, the Florida CyberHub includes:
- Cyber Range: The Cyber Range is a virtual environment that can be accessed from any location with an internet connection. It provides students with opportunities for hands-on learning in a safe setting where they can practice attack-and-defend scenarios.
- Course Catalog: Serving as a repository for syllabi, lesson plans, presentation slides, and other teaching materials, the Course Catalog is a resource center that will allow educators to share materials.
- Secure Sandbox: The Secure Sandbox provides a safe and controlled environment where researchers and others can use malicious software and security tools to conduct labs and research without endangering other systems or networks.
- Capture the Flag (CTF): This prebuilt environment can be used to prepare students to engage in CTF competitions designed to test their skills across a broad range of cybersecurity issues.
- Community Forum: Individuals across the state can communicate and share information on topics of mutual interest by accessing the Community Forum, an open user-driven exchange. The Community Forum serves as a virtual meet-up space where students, researchers, and professionals can connect.
- Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS): Desktop-as-a-Service is a virtual desktop that's preloaded with cybersecurity tools, creating efficiencies by eliminating setup time at the beginning of a course and giving students opportunities for hands-on experience.
About the Florida Center for Cybersecurity
The Florida Center for Cybersecurity is a statewide resource established to position Florida as a national leader in cybersecurity through education and workforce development; innovative, interdisciplinary research; and community engagement. With a geographic footprint that spans Florida and encompasses all twelve State University System of Florida (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.