The University of Central Florida and Lockheed Martin celebrated the grand opening of a 970-square-foot Cyber Innovation Lab that will prepare students in the field of cybertechnology – a growing field UCF has excelled in.
The lab will serve as a learning hub for more than 350 students participating in cyber programs, UCF says.
UCF Collegiate Cyber Defense Club (Hack@UCF), dubbed the ‘winningest cyber defense national champs,’ participated in the ribbon-cutting and demonstration in the Engineering I Building. Military and Lockheed Martin experts hosted a panel discussion that covered trends in technology and how to prepare for a career in their respective fields.
“This lab will serve as the campus’ primary hub for students to develop and expand their information security skills, preparing them to enter this high demand field and take on the cybersecurity threats of the future,” said UCF President Dale Whittaker.
“We are grateful for Lockheed Martin’s longtime partnership and strong commitment to our students’ success.”
According to the National Insitute of Standards and Technology, 13,000 cybersecurity jobs are unfulfilled in the state of Florida.
“Having a centralized space will streamline the way we organize our meetings and practices,” said Hack@UCF President and senior computer engineering student David Maria.
“With this lab, we can practice for competitions, host workshops, and speakers, provide cybersecurity tools and resources, and give our student members a sense of community and help get them ready for future careers. It’s not just a practice space. It’s a home for us.”
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Photos: UCF Communications
