Photo courtesy USF: U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, USF Sarasota-Manatee Chancellor Karen Brook spent at a Friday press conference.

A cybersecurity certification program for the University of South Florida was announced at the Sarasota campus for the public university. Regional Chancellor Karen Holbrook and U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, held an event Friday at the branch campus touting the professional program.

“At USF, we relentlessly pursue innovation,” Holbrook said.

The InfoSec GRC Analyst program will focus on information security governance, risk and compliance. The non-credit program will be offered online and available to the public. Applications can be sent now, and the first lessons will be accessible starting July 8, and students will have 60 days to complete the program once they begin.

Those who take the course will earn a USF certification through its digital micro-credential program. Lessons will be presented in four modules, starting with information security foundations and moving on to ways to implement security measures to protection against online threats and meet industry standards.

Steube secured a $2-million federal grant to develop the remote InfoSec GRC Analyst program. He said that was a worthwhile investment for Congress because it will contribute to better fortification online of government resources against threats. The program, which will be offered free to up to 250 initial students, will give enrollment priority to veterans, first responders and other public employees.

"There are nearly 30,000 unfilled cybersecurity job openings in the State of Florida, representing an in-demand field with great job security into the future,” Steube said. 

“It's an honor to be part of connecting military veterans and others who have served our community with this new opportunity. I'm thankful to the USF leadership for their foresight and careful planning to execute this new program.

"As your representative, it’s my duty to ensure we can bring as many of your federal taxpayer dollars back to FL-17 as possible, and this project will certainly make a difference for many Floridians and our workforce in Southwest Florida."

USF President Rhea Law said the program would provide a critical service to the public.

"As cybersecurity threats become more prevalent and sophisticated, the need for professionals who are trained in reducing cyber risks continues to grow,” Law said. “The University of South Florida's expertise and partnerships in the business community make us uniquely positioned to help address this need, and we are proud to offer this innovative certificate program for those who are looking to upskill and advance in their careers.”

Photo courtesy USF: U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, USF Sarasota-Manatee Chancellor Karen Brook spent at a Friday press conference.