By: Cassidy Delamarter, University Communications and Marketing
鈥淭here is no sector that cybersecurity and AI do not touch 鈥� and USF plays a huge role in that.鈥�
As artificial intelligence and cybersecurity reshape every facet of our lives, the 哔咔漫画 is rising to the moment. Launching this fall, the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing will serve as a launchpad for the next generation of interdisciplinary experts to meet growing demands.
Students and prestigious faculty members began laying the foundation for the new college decades ago with their passion for research. Across USF鈥檚 campuses, students are already immersed in using AI and cybersecurity to address real-world challenges.
These specialized areas of study are fueling a robust pipeline of highly skilled professionals 鈥� supporting Tampa Bay鈥檚 booming tech industry, fortifying the nation鈥檚 cybersecurity infrastructure and advancing AI innovation 鈥� all while contributing to USF鈥檚 growing $6 billion economic impact.
In Tampa Bay, the information technology sector 鈥� which includes computing, cybersecurity and AI 鈥� has increased 28.5% over the last five years and is projected to grow another 12.5% by 2029, according to the . Over the last four years, Tampa has already welcomed 12 new or growing companies, including Rapid7, which expanded to Tampa for its diverse talent pool.
鈥淐ybersecurity remains a game of cat and mouse between well-funded threat actors and security practitioners,鈥� said Raj Samani, chief scientist at Rapid7. 鈥淭he Bellini College is an important milestone for our industry in the development of better-equipped security practitioners and improved technology to mitigate against the threats we face today and likely tomorrow.鈥�
According to , a national data project, there are only enough cybersecurity workers in the United States to fill 83% of current jobs. The college offers a unique opportunity for students traditionally getting their degree outside of AI and cyber, including those majoring in business, criminology, psychology and sociology, to pair their studies with computer science, creating tailored skill sets for niche, in-demand careers.
鈥淐ybersecurity is multifaceted and involves many ambiguous challenges that aren鈥檛 always technical,鈥� said Jacob Hammargren, co-captain of USF鈥檚 CyberHerd. 鈥淗aving the opportunity to explore classes that contribute in unique ways to a cybersecurity-focused education is essential.鈥�
鈥淓very year, we proudly send off nearly 500 graduates from our innovative programs in AI, cybersecurity and computing, empowering them to shape the future of technology,鈥� said. 鈥淲ith enrollment growing rapidly, we hope to celebrate 1,000 graduates annually 鈥� a bold step toward fueling tomorrow鈥檚 tech breakthroughs.鈥�
As cybersecurity threats evolve, the demand for professionals extends beyond cybersecurity firms to companies across all industries, as they proactively work to address digital security.
USF alum Brad Chedister, a national security adviser who鈥檚 one of the first leaders behind SOFWERX, a tech hub for U.S. Special Operations Command, sees the college as a catalyst for innovation. Chedister is a senior strategic adviser for Collaborative Werx, a new Ybor City facility specially built with secured technology to support the defense sector. By partnering with local military leaders and tapping into the emerging talent in Tampa, the space will help build a pipeline of next-generation innovators.
鈥淭he Bellini College is going to be the baseline architecture of workforce development for the future of multiple sectors, including military, medical, technology and industrial,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here is no sector that cybersecurity and AI do not touch 鈥� and USF plays a huge role in that.鈥�
At hosted by Embarc Collective in April, Holcomb and Brian Murphy, CEO of ReliaQuest, discussed Murphy's journey and the key leadership principles that shaped his success. | Photo credit: Embarc Collective
Chedister describes Tampa Bay as having transformed into a cohesive, collaborative innovation hub that鈥檚 attracting high-profile corporations and investors from across the nation. Tim Holcomb agrees 鈥� as CEO of Embarc Collective, a startup hub that supports early-stage tech companies, he鈥檚 noticed a sharp rise in startups since launching in late 2019.
鈥淲hen we opened Embarc鈥檚 doors, we saw the potential鈥攂ut now we鈥檙e seeing the momentum. Tampa鈥檚 tech and innovation scene has grown dramatically,鈥� Holcomb said. 鈥淏ut what鈥檚 most exciting is what鈥檚 ahead. We鈥檙e not just building companies鈥攚e鈥檙e building the next generation of industry leaders, right here in Florida.鈥�
Over the last five years, Embarc Collective has become Florida鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing startup hub, providing support to more than 250 early-stage startups, including Actualization.AI, a startup founded by USF Associate Professor John Licato who is developing tools to ensure AI systems align with human ethics and regulations.
鈥淭he pace of progress in Tampa right now is unlike anything we鈥檝e seen before. The energy, the collaboration, the talent鈥攊t鈥檚 all here,鈥� Holcomb said. 鈥淎t the same time, with more data comes greater risk, so the need for cybersecurity experts is only growing. We see it firsthand with the companies in our network.鈥�
Darryl Shaw, the developer behind the 6-million-square-foot Gasworx project to revitalize Ybor City, is focused on bringing more families and professionals to the area. That means building homes, restaurants and shops that he hopes will entice niche industries to make Tampa Bay their home. 鈥淚t鈥檚 synergistic. We鈥檙e hoping to spark that creativity and innovation 鈥� and the new Bellini College will be impactful and beneficial to that future,鈥� Shaw said.
Fifty students graduated from the program鈥檚 ninth cohort in March. | Photo by: Sadie Stetson, Muma College of Business
USF alumni who studied cybersecurity are already filling roles at major employers, including Citibank, Amazon, Raymond James and Publix. Cybersecurity firm ReliaQuest has hired hundreds of USF graduates. The company launched the ReliaQuest Labs program at USF in 2018, a cybersecurity boot camp that 鈥� roughly a quarter of whom have since joined the company. CEO Brian Murphy says he is dedicated to bridging the gap between talent and opportunity.
鈥淲hile we often hear about the shortage of trained and skilled cybersecurity professionals, there is no shortage of people who would like to join the cybersecurity industry if given the chance,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淐onnecting the immense amount of talent with opportunities to build their knowledge and skills is the real issue, and it鈥檚 what programs like this are all about.鈥�
USF undergraduate student Tim Kircher will be part of one of the first graduating classes from the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. Kircher currently works as a security analyst for , thanks to hands-on experience gained through the ReliaQuest Labs program and simulation research with the Rapid7 Cyber Threat Intelligence Lab at USF.
Through his current roles, Kircher has the opportunity to triage security alerts, support local partners across the state and gain hands-on experience with tools like security information and event management software to carry out log analysis and threat hunting before he even graduates.
鈥淔rom my perspective, what sets this college apart is its strong connections with many industry-leading partners,鈥� Kircher said. 鈥淭hese partnerships give students the opportunity to gain real world, hands-on technical experience in the field, bridging that gap between the classroom and the cybersecurity industry.鈥�
Kircher is excited for the college鈥檚 official launch and hopes to create a network for its alumni. 鈥淚 want to do my part to reduce cyber risks and help to build a safer digital world for both organizations and individuals.鈥�
Prasant Mohapatra, USF鈥檚 provost and executive vice president, sees the college鈥檚 vision clearly. 鈥淭he Bellini College will one day serve as a national model,鈥� he said, 鈥渙ne that prepares students to lead in the constantly evolving fields of cybersecurity and AI.鈥�