Security

U West Florida to Build Cyberattack Simulator

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 08/16/17

The University of West Florida's Center for Cybersecurity is teaming with a private partner to create the Florida Cyber Range for use in cybersecurity education, operations, training and research.

The university is partnering with Metova CyberCENTS, which will provide its Cyber Operations Enhanced Network and Training Simulators (CENTS) portfolio of tools designed to simulate cyberattacks.

As a result of the partnership, the university, named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency, will be able to offer students and professionals the ability to hone their cybersecurity skills through training simulations.

"We are honored to partner with Metova CyberCENTS to launch the Florida Cyber Range," said Eman El-Sheikh, director of the UWF Center for Cybersecurity, in a prepared statement. "The Florida Cyber Range provides a state-of-the-art environment to help cybersecurity students and professionals gain valuable practical skills to detect and defend against real world cyberattacks. The range will help organizations differentiate themselves and prepare against emerging threats and attacks through innovative training experiences."

"The Florida Cyber Range will complement expanding cybersecurity education, training and research initiatives by using real world situations to prepare against complex cyberattacks," added El-Sheikh. "The UWF Center for Cybersecurity will develop resources and models for integrating Florida Cyber Range exercises into education and training programs and will disseminate these resources regionally and nationally."

For more information about the Center for Cybersecurity, visit the University of West Florida site.