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.
WORKING GROUPS
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 2026 CyberBay Cybersecurity Survey
This report examines how small and mid-sized organizations implement cybersecurity practices and the factors that influence their implementation. Using survey data from 202 firms, it measures perceived cybersecurity risk, organizational priorities, cyber insurance, industry influences, and the extent of cybersecurity implementation. The results show that organizations emphasizing cybersecurity and those influenced by professional networks, industry guidance, and regulatory expectations report stronger cybersecurity implementation. Regulatory and insurance requirements are also associated with greater adoption, while organizations perceiving higher cyber risk often report lower implementation, likely reflecting recognized gaps. Notably, firm size does not predict implementation, whereas leadership prioritization and program maturity are more strongly associated with implementation. The report recommends coordinated efforts: regulators, industry groups, and professional associations should reinforce clear expectations, while internal leadership translates these into action. In short, institutional pressures and internal commitment appear to work together to improve cybersecurity outcomes.
