The Florida Department of Education has announced the winners of the 3rd Annual Florida College System Cybersecurity Competition. The event brought together students from across the state’s college system to participate in a virtual cyber range, where they tackled challenges designed to mirror real-world cybersecurity threats.
The competition is part of an ongoing effort to prepare more students for careers in cybersecurity, an area where demand for skilled workers continues to grow. According to the department, nearly 4,500 students are currently enrolled in cybersecurity programs within the Florida College System. These programs provide practical training and hands-on experience needed for jobs in this field.
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas praised the participants’ performance: “Witnessing these students tackle complex cybersecurity challenges has been truly impressive,” said Kamoutsas. “Their ingenuity, perseverance and critical thinking skills demonstrate that Florida is cultivating a strong cybersecurity pipeline. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, the future of cybersecurity in our great state is incredibly bright.”
Every student who took part received a cyber range certification from Global Business Solutions, Inc. Winners were determined through a ranking system based on how effectively teams managed and defended simulated network infrastructures.
The event was supported by several organizations including the Florida Department of Education, Florida College System Foundation, Florida Student Success Center, Capital City Wealth, Cyber Florida and Bill Cramer Chevrolet.
This competition is an initiative created by the FCS Cybersecurity Collaborative—a group bringing together leaders from all 28 institutions in the system. The Collaborative aims to share best practices and build partnerships that enhance opportunities for students while strengthening workforce readiness within the Florida College System.
For further details about the competition or related programs, visit the official website.
