UWF Center for Cybersecurity

Applications are being accepted for the University of West Florida Program System Administrator Pathway (Deadline: Nov 27). FREE cybersecurity training for , , , , and more. https://uwf.edu/CyberSkills2Work

There are five-course training pathways that will prepare participants for entry-level System Administrator work roles as described in the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. If you have no/minimal IT/Cybersecurity experience and want a career in cybersecurity this program is perfect for you. This program includes industry certification prep courses and vouchers for CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+.

Info session: Those interested in attending are asked to pre-register at https://uwf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtduioqTgrEtzKYqpLEry779uV89W7Q3-E #/registration. The virtual session is scheduled from 5 - 6 p.m. (Central) on Tuesday, November 21st. The webinar will be hosted via Zoom.

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

You do not want to miss out on this unforgettable experience! The University of West Florida GenCyber Experience Saturday camp is happening on November 11th! Registration closes this Thursday, so don't forget to register before it's too late! Registration is FREE and is open to boys and girls, grades 6-12. For more information and registration, visit https://uwf.edu/GenCyber

Area middle and high school girls learned how hackers exploit vulnerable systems in Saturday's Experience All-Girls Day. The girls also met with industry professionals, cybersecurity college students, and cyber competitors as part of the NSA - National Security Agency - National Science Foundation (NSF) funded GenCyber program. GenCyber seeks to inspire the next generation of cyber talent.

Registration is now open and FREE for the University of West Florida GenCyber Experience Saturday camp on November 11th. It is open to boys and girls, grades 6-12. For more information and registration, visit www.uwf.edu/GenCyber

UWF, Leidos partner to launch cybersecurity infrastructure lab - University of West Florida Newsroom The University of West Florida and Leidos, a Fortune 500® science and technology leader, have launched the Leidos Cybersecurity Infrastructure Lab in UWF’s Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering. The new lab is purpose-built to provide students with hands-on cybersecurity education in real...

Happy Halloween! Don’t be scared of those terrifying cyber threats out there. The UWF Center for Cybersecurity is there to keep you safe this Halloween!

No matter the account, all should be created with these 3 words in mind: Long (12+ characters) Unique (never reuse passwords) and Complex (a combination of upper and lower case letters, spaces, numbers and special characters) Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/passwords-securing-accounts/

The power of timely updates! Automatic software updates work silently to protect your devices. Say goodbye to outdated software and embrace the power of the latest features, enhanced performance, and tightened security. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/resources/software-updates/

Outsmart the cyber threats! Hackers are always looking for vulnerabilities to exploit. Stay a step ahead by enabling automatic software updates. Think of them as an invisible shield that fortifies your devices against emerging risks. Stay safe, stay updated! Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/resources/software-updates/

Pay attention to software update alerts and set your software to auto-update–it’s an easy way to keep things safe. Set it and forget it! Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/resources/software-updates/

Organize your ever-growing list of online accounts with a password manager. They can manage all your online credentials like usernames and passwords. It stores them in a safe, encrypted database and also generates new ones when needed. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/password-managers/

The Center for Cybersecurity is seeking an Operations and Training Coordinator who will coordinate and manage the Center’s Workforce Development program. This position can be remote or hybrid (Pensacola, FL). https://uwf.edu/cybersecurityjobs

Most cyber incidents start with a phish. To stop it, report it. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/theft-fraud-cybercrime/phishing/

A $2.5 million grant from the NSA - National Security Agency Program to expand the will help increase the program’s reach and promote in the workforce. Dr. Eman El-Sheikh spoke with Jennie McKeon (she/her) of WUWF about this innovative way to address the talent shortage in the industry.

https://www.wuwf.org/local-news/2023-10-19/uwf-cybersecurity-awarded-2-5-million-to-expand-the-program-to-women-minorities-and-more

To learn more, visit:
https://uwf.edu/CyberSkills2Work

UWF Cybersecurity awarded $2.5 million to expand the program to women, minorities, and more Since the CyberSkills2Work program was launched in 2020, it has trained over 1,700 veterans and first responders for cyber security jobs. Thanks to a $2.5 million grant, the program will train more than 1,500 more people and expand its eligibility to include military spouses, women, underrepresented...

The Center for Cybersecurity is seeking a Grant Specialist who will coordinate grant proposals and contracts from pre-award proposals through post-award functions. For more details on the position and to apply, visit https://uwf.edu/cybersecurityjobs.

Area middle and high school girls learned how hackers exploit vulnerable systems in Saturday's Experience All-Girls Day. The girls also met with industry professionals, cybersecurity college students, and cyber competitors as part of the National Security Agency - National Science Foundation (NSF) funded GenCyber program. GenCyber seeks to inspire the next generation of cyber talent.

Registration is now open and FREE for The University of West Florida GenCyber Experience Saturday camp happening on November 11th. It is open to boys and girls, grades 6-12. For more information and registration, visit www.uwf.edu/GenCyber.

Tip: If you connect it, protect it. Outsmart cyber criminals by regularly updating your software. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/resources/software-updates/

Did you know the average person has over 100 passwords online? Here’s an easy pro tip: a Password Manager can do all the managing of strong, unique passwords for each account. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/password-managers/

The Center recently received a $2.5 million grant from the NSA - National Security Agency Program to expand the program to now include and , as well as to increase in . Dr. Eman El-Sheikh spoke with Sha'de Ray of WEAR ABC 3 News, Pensacola about this initiative to address the critical workforce shortage in the industry. Recent CyberSkills2Work graduate Kai Hoskins also shares his experience on how the program helped him transition into network administrator after completing his career with the U.S. Navy. https://weartv.com/news/local/uwf-expands-free-cybersecurity-training-program-amid-statewide-job-openings

To learn more, visit:
https://uwf.edu/CyberSkills2Work
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cyberskills2work

In case you missed it! Dr. Rasnick did an interview with on what ransomware is and how you can combat it. Click the link below to access the full article.

https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2023/10/20/alphvblackcat-claim-cyber-attack-on-escambia-santa-rosa-courts/71135573007/

There are so many cool jobs within cybersecurity. Here are the top 10! Learn how they make a difference in the world and how you can qualify for them so you can reach that dream job!

Avoid common password pitfalls! Hackers love easy targets, so don't make it easy for them. Say no to password123 or qwerty. Opt for unique and complex passwords – let a password manager do the heavy lifting for you. It's time to level up your security. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/passwords-securing-accounts/

Set it and forget it! With automatic software updates, you don't have to worry about manually checking for updates. Embrace the convenience and let your devices take care of themselves. Stay on top of security and enjoy peace of mind. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/resources/software-updates/

Lock it up! Strong passwords are your first line of defense against cyber threats. Don't settle for weak combinations. Create unique and complex passwords for each account, and consider using a password manager for added convenience and security. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/passwords-securing-accounts/

Cybersecurity is not just happening in your own backyard but all over the world! Click the link below to see all the different career resources!
https://www.nist.gov/itl/applied-cybersecurity/nice/events/cybersecurity-career-week/resources/international-career

Think before you click! Phishing emails disguise themselves as harmless messages, but they're actually dangerous digital piranhas swimming in your inbox. Stay vigilant, spot the signs, and report those fraudulent emails. Together, we can ! Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/theft-fraud-cybercrime/phishing/

Need help to level up in your career? Below are some helpful and important tips to grow your career in cybersecurity! https://securityboulevard.com/2019/07/fire-up-your-cyber-security-career-with-these-9-job-related-tips/

Don't let vulnerabilities linger! Update, update, update! Keeping your software up to date is crucial for a secure digital life. Enable automatic updates to protect your devices against the latest threats. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/resources/software-updates/

Do you know you want a job in cybersecurity but are not sure which career path to choose? We can help you! Click the link below and discover which career path is right for you. https://www.varonis.com/blog/cybersecurity-careers

The Experience starts this Saturday with events for area middle and high school students. Join the Cybersecurity Ambassadors for a hands-on approach as you solve real-world cyber challenges with professional-grade tools and techniques. Advanced registration is required, and is completely free thanks to the GenCyber grant program.

The sessions are held at the Center for Cybersecurity, 2nd Floor, SCI Building, 220 W. Garden St., downtown Pensacola.

Register at https://forms.gle/cY5BbPa6hP3r2YWE6.
For more info, visit https://uwf.edu/GenCyber.

The Experience starts this week with events for area middle and high school students. Join the Cybersecurity Ambassadors for a hands-on approach as you solve real-world cyber challenges with professional-grade tools and techniques. Advanced registration is required, and is completely free thanks to the GenCyber grant program.

The sessions are held at the Center for Cybersecurity, 2nd Floor, SCI Building, 220 W. Garden St., downtown Pensacola.

Register at https://forms.gle/cY5BbPa6hP3r2YWE6.
For more info, visit https://uwf.edu/GenCyber.

All those update alerts from your software are important to install! Not only do they fix things that might be buggy, they also patch up any security holes. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/resources/software-updates/

There are a bunch of jobs you can get in cybersecurity and the demand is always HIGH. 1,129,659 people are currently employed in cybersecurity. You could become one of those employed today!

Not only is it Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but this week there is an emphasis on Cybersecurity Career Awareness! Don't know where to begin with a career in cybersecurity? Search no further! Click the link below to learn the 4 most important steps in starting your cybersecurity career.
https://www.comptia.org/blog/4-steps-to-a-cybersecurity-career

What are the advantages of a password manager? They 1. Save time 2. Suggest strong passwords and 3. Identify weak passwords. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/password-managers/

When it comes to passwords, long and complex is best! Make sure they are unique for each account and at least 12 characters long. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/passwords-securing-accounts/

Don't get hooked! Phishing emails are like sneaky bait trying to reel you in. Learn how to spot them and report those fishy attempts to keep your inbox clean and your personal information safe. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/theft-fraud-cybercrime/phishing/

Cybercriminals cast wide nets with tactics, hoping to drag in victims. They may offer a financial reward, threaten you if you don’t engage, or claim that someone is in need of help. Stop, take a moment, and think before you click. Learn more: https://staysafeonline.org/theft-fraud-cybercrime/phishing/

The Center for Cybersecurity is seeking an Operations and Training Coordinator. This individual will coordinate and manage the Center’s Workforce Development program. Responsibilities include: coordinate scheduling of training courses and instructional resources; identify topics for future courses based on partner and employer input; manage course and program data and reporting. This position can be remote or hybrid (Pensacola, FL).

For more details and to apply, visit the center's job page. https://uwf.edu/cybersecurityjobs

The Center for Cybersecurity is seeking a Grant Specialist. This position will coordinate grant proposals and contracts from pre-award proposals through post-award functions. Responsibilities include general support and budget management, sub-award and contractor support, and all pre-award functions including proposal development, budget planning, compilation of documents, and proposal submission to post-award functions including program planning, compliance, tracking expenditures, and reporting.

For more details and to apply, visit the center's job page.
https://uwf.edu/cybersecurityjobs

Thank you to the Northwest Florida chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners for touring the center today! We hope enjoyed the visit as much as we did. 🙂