CyberBay: Tampa Bay’s Center of Excellence for Cybersecurity & AI

Uniting industry, government, education, and innovation to strengthen cybersecurity, advance emerging technologies, and protect our digital future.


We’re just getting started.

Welcome to CyberBay: the nation’s epicenter for cybersecurity and AI innovation—uniting world-class higher education, military partnership, and private-sector excellence to protect our nation’s digital borders. Powered by the University of South Florida, Cyber Florida, Bellini Capital, the USF Bellini College of AI, Cybersecurity, and Computing, and the USF Institute for AI+X, CyberBay is where talent, technology, and national security converge to build the future of digital defense.

Convene

CyberBay serves as the national epicenter where world-class higher education, military partnerships, and private-sector excellence converge. We bring together the brightest minds from government, academia, and industry to dismantle silos and build a unified front. By hosting the annual CyberBay Summit, we create the vital town square where stakeholders mobilize a new era of cyber readiness to defend our nation’s digital borders.


Educate

We transform theory into tactical advantage. Through the CyberBay Survey and the USF Bellini College of AI, Cybersecurity, and Computing, we provide the job-ready insights and hands-on training necessary to close the talent gap. Our mission is to elevate education as a strategic asset, empowering small businesses and multinational enterprises alike with the knowledge to navigate a fast-changing threat landscape.


Connect

CyberBay is where talent meets technology. We bridge the gap between emerging startups, venture capital, and established cybersecurity leaders to foster a culture of open collaboration. From our “Democratizing Cybersecurity” Innovation Challenge to our regional mentorship programs, we connect every layer of the ecosystem to ensure scalable, AI-augmented defenses are accessible to every organization, regardless of size.


The SUMMIT – MARCH 11-13, 2O26

Join us at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street for the premier gathering of cybersecurity’s brightest minds. The CyberBay Summit 2026 brings together national leaders from military, academia, and the private sector to bridge the gap between emerging threats and actionable defenses. This is more than a conference; it is the national epicenter for democratizing cybersecurity and fostering a culture of collective resilience.

  • Elite Keynote Lineup: Featuring Jen Easterly (Former Director of CISA) and Rachel Wilson (Head of Data Security, Morgan Stanley).

  • Democratizing Cybersecurity Challenge: Watch regional startups compete for investment capital in our high-stakes Innovation Challenge.

  • The CyberBay Cup: Experience the thrill of elite cybersecurity competition with our premier Capture The Flag event.

  • Pre-Conference Workshops: Deep-dive technical sessions and hands-on training beginning March 11.

  • Unrivaled Networking: Connect with over 1,000 stakeholders across the Florida cybersecurity ecosystem.

THE SUMMIT – 2026 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

We are thrilled to announce an exciting lineup of experts, luminaries, and leaders from across the cybersecurity ecosystem!

Rachel Wilson

Head of Wealth Management Data Security & Infrastructure Risk, Morgan Stanley

Jen Easterly

Former Director, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Evenstar Cyber, LLC

BUILT ON MOMENTUM

CyberBay is more than a vision, it is a proven platform for national cybersecurity progress. From launching the landmark CyberBay Survey to hosting sold-out summits and innovation challenges, we have successfully united Florida’s most influential stakeholders. Our growth is fueled by a commitment to data-driven insights and a tireless mission to protect our critical infrastructure through collective action.

The 2025 CyberBay Cybersecurity Survey

The inaugural CyberBay 2025 Survey gathered data from 200 MSPs and small/medium businesses to examine the greatest challenges to achieving an enhanced cyber posture. This and future surveys will serve as the foundation for guiding discussions at the annual CyberBay Summit. The results are clear: 80% of organizations find current security solutions too expensive, and 74% believe existing education is failing to prepare the next generation. Explore the data that is shaping our mission to democratize cybersecurity and protect our digital borders.

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