SPC hosts Florida colleges for training

group poses on stairs
College of Computer and Information Technology, Cybersecurity

As our lives go a little bit farther online each year, we allow information regarding our banking, social life, photos and more to be stored in places that could potentially be hacked. That’s why we must be able to trust that our personal information and accounts are secure. This drives the rising demand for cybersecurity technicians across America, and especially in Florida, where the need for information security analysts is projected to have grown by 52 percent by 2031. That’s why St. Petersburg College’s College of Computers & Information Technology (CCIT), a current Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAEC), welcomed 21 state colleges to its St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus for a training session to learn how they, too can become nationally certified as a CAEC and train information security analysts who are knowledgeable and adept at keeping our cyberlives secure.

Man addresses crowd

The training, made possible by the Florida Cybersecurity Alliance, a subgroup of the Center of Academic Excellence for Cybersecurity group, and the Florida Department of Education, SIM TB as well as the SIM Foundation, took place on SPC’s St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus on June 20.

Norene Kemp, SPC’s Dean of CCIT, said the event underscored the critical importance of equipping our students and professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard our digital future.

“By fostering collaboration, sharing expertise, and staying ahead of emerging threats, we are not only protecting our institutions, businesses and individuals, but we are also ensuring the resilience and security of our society as a whole,” she said.

William Waas, member of SIM TB and a CCIT Advisory Committee leader, said a generous donation from the local chapter as well as the SIM Foundation was made to support the event and ensure no cost to the attendees.

“We are excited to see SPC’s CCIT lead the way in preparing all FCS Cybersecurity programs to become CAECs,” he said. 

The session aimed to create and manage a collaborative cybersecurity educational program for colleges that:

  • Establishes standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence.
  • Includes competency development among students and faculty.
  • Values community outreach and leadership in professional development.
  • Integrates cybersecurity practice within the institution across academic disciplines.
  • Actively engages in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education.


Kemp said that the initiative allowed statewide collaboration and an opportunity for Florida to be the GO-TO for all Cybersecurity talent. 

“Together, we can build a strong foundation that empowers us to navigate the complex challenges of the digital age and forge a path towards a safer and more secure future.”