USF expands cybersecurity program, adds free access for military veterans and first responders

The University of South Florida is expanding a certificate program designed to provide the skills needed to address critical shortages in cybersecurity professionals.

Under the expansion, an additional 400 military veterans, first responders and public-sector professionals will be able to access the InfoSec Governance, Risk and Compliance Analyst (GRC) program for free. It will remain available to others for a fee.

U.S. Rep. Greg Steube secured the initial $2 million investment. It has already provided intensive cybersecurity training to 250 employees statewide, a boost in trained workforce aimed at giving Florida a competitive edge in the technology sector.

Program graduates are helping implement security controls that reduce cyber risks and strengthen organizational resilience.

The six-week online program equips participants with advanced skills in cybersecurity risk management, regulatory compliance and incident prevention through USF’s Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education.

Upon completion, graduates earn a digital microcredential from USF.

The program expansion comes at a critical time, with more than 7,000 information security analyst job openings in Florida, according to Lightcast.

“Programs like these will go a long way to defending Tampa Bay, Florida and the U.S. from nefarious actors. We are planning to leverage the work we have done in this program to provide this training to more individuals with the intention of building a very capable cyber workforce in the Tampa Bay area and beyond,” said Mark Koulianos, assistant vice president of the Office of University Community Partnerships.

The jobs graduates fill after completion add to essential work safeguarding sensitive data and navigating complex security frameworks.

“The USF InfoSec GRC Analyst program took me from a rudimentary understanding of what a GRC analyst does to being able to better communicate to my customers what the process will be when they decide to implement a cybersecurity framework,” said Andrew Ehrich, a senior IT specialist with Softrim in Estero.

“I am working directly with other GRC analysts to implement policies and procedures for my clients that have that requirement. In my opinion, every IT professional should consider taking this class as it exposes them to foundational principles of information security.”

The program offers priority registration to military veterans, first responders and public-sector professionals. Others can take advantage of remaining availability.

Application information is available online. The deadline to apply for the program is Dec. 19.