TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing industries in the nation, and the State of Florida is working to ensure it doesn’t get left behind.
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On Friday, the Florida Department of Education announced the winners of its 2nd Annual Cybersecurity Competition, an event held in partnership with the Florida College System and Tallahassee State College, where the contest took place.
During the event, FCS students worked in teams, showing their skills and abilities in navigating real-world scenarios while gaining experience in the real-world challenges they will face in their careers, the FDOE said.
“I am truly inspired by the hard work of each student participant and the FCS faculty advisors that supported this innovative competition,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “In today’s ever-expanding digital world, it is imperative to have skilled professionals who are equipped with knowledge and practical experiences to protect our schools and communities. These students are well-prepared, and I am confident that their futures will be bright and that Florida’s future is in good hands.”
The winning teams were based on their ability to successfully manage, operate, and defend the network infrastructure of several fictitious organizations in the shortest amount of time.
Northwest Florida State College placed first, while Palm Beach State College and Daytona State College placed second and third, respectively.
“I am FCS-proud to celebrate our students' accomplishments and congratulate them for the excellence they have demonstrated today,” said FCS Chancellor Kathy Hebda. “We are also deeply grateful to our FCS leaders for their commitment to advancing cybersecurity programs and offering students real-world experiences that ensure that they are workforce-ready and that Florida remains a leader in cyber defense.”
Each student who participated in the event received a cyber range certification provided by Global Business Solutions.