FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCES FOURTH ANNUAL FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM CYBERSECURITY COMPETITION WINNERS

FDOE Press Office
850-245-0413
[email protected]

Florida Department of Education Announces Fourth Annual Florida College System Cybersecurity Competition Winners

Tallahassee, Fla., October 21, 2026 - Today, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) announced the winners of the Fourth Annual Florida College System (FCS) Cybersecurity Competition.

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, the Florida College System is preparing students to meet Florida's growing demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals. In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the competition highlights the importance of developing the knowledge, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities needed to identify and respond to cyber threats. By connecting classroom instruction with hands-on training and industry engagement, FCS helps students prepare for careers in a field critical to Florida's future.

Florida leads the nation as the only state with a state college systemwide cybersecurity competition of its kind. This year, students entered a virtual cyber range to detect, respond to, and mitigate real-world threats in high-pressure, industry-based scenarios. Through hands-on simulations, 17 teams from FCS institutions put classroom learning into action while strengthening the collaboration, technical expertise, and problem-solving abilities expected by employers. The event showcased the Florida College System's commitment to aligning industry needs with strong academics as students demonstrated job-ready skills, earned credentials, and prepared for great careers.

New this year, the event expanded student opportunities with an extra day of professional learning hosted by the Florida Technology Council, featuring special sessions from CyberFlorida and the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions at St. Petersburg College. During the Summit, FCS students and advisors learned alongside chief information officers, chief information security officers and other technology leaders, gaining insight into employer needs, industry trends, and challenges facing Florida and the nation.

"Florida's 'Great 28' colleges are the workforce engine for our state, and this event elevates the talent of our students and the strength of our colleges," said Commissioner Henry Mack. "By engaging with Florida's technology leaders and conquering challenges in a cyber range, students are honing real-world skills and opening doors to so many fields. Their success is a win for our students, our colleges and communities, and the industries that depend on their talent."

"I am thrilled to congratulate our outstanding students and recognize the dedicated faculty advisors who helped guide their success," said FCS Chancellor Kathy Hebda. "The achievements of our students reflect the critical role our colleges play in building a cybersecurity-ready workforce to protect our state's digital future and meet industry demand."

Competition Winners:

• First Place: Miami Dade College: Team Name - Sharks

• Second Place: Palm Beach State College: Team Name - Cyberforce

• Third Place: Eastern Florida State College: Team Name - Cyber Titans

All student participants received a cyber range certification from Global Business Solutions, Inc. Winning teams were selected through an established ranking system that evaluated their ability to efficiently manage, operate, and defend the network infrastructures of multiple simulated organizations.

The competition was made possible through the generous support of partners including the Florida Department of Education, the Florida College System Foundation, the Florida Technology Council, CyberFlorida, the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions at St. Petersburg College, and the Florida Student Success Center.

The Cybersecurity Competition is an initiative of the Florida College System, which established the Cybersecurity Collaborative. The Collaborative unites cybersecurity leaders from all 28 FCS institutions to share best practices, strengthen workforce partnerships, expand opportunities for students, and advance cybersecurity education.

View photos from the 4th Annual Florida College System
Cybersecurity Competition on FDOE's Flickr album.

##

For more information about the Florida College System, visit https://www.fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/. For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.