Florida Senate - 2026 (NP) SR By Senator Burgess 23-02646-26 20261816__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Senate Resolution A resolution recognizing CyberBay as a designated cybersecurity and artificial intelligence innovation region within the Tampa Bay area, acknowledging Florida’s national leadership in cybersecurity readiness and digital defense, and affirming the importance of coordinated public-private partnerships to protect this state’s economic and digital security. 8

WHEREAS, Florida is nationally recognized as a leader in cybersecurity preparedness, resilience, and digital defense, 11 committed to strengthening its ability to protect government, 12 industry, and citizens from evolving cyber threats, and

WHEREAS, the Tampa Bay region is home to one of the nation’s most significant concentrations of military, defense, 15 intelligence, and security operations, anchored by MacDill Air Force Base, a cornerstone of United States digital and national defense, and

WHEREAS, this unique concentration of military assets, 19 government institutions, research universities, and private sector technology companies has established Tampa Bay as a nationally recognized center of excellence for cybersecurity, 22 technology innovation, and digital defense, and

WHEREAS, this convergence has given rise to CyberBay, a cybersecurity and artificial intelligence ecosystem centered in the Tampa Bay area and built upon collaboration among the military, government, academia, and the private sector, and

WHEREAS, CyberBay represents a coordinated regional initiative to advance cybersecurity readiness, artificial Florida Senate - 2026 (NP) SR 1816 23-02646-26 20261816__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. intelligence innovation, workforce development, and the defense of the United States’ digital infrastructure, and

WHEREAS, the University of South Florida serves as a central anchor institution within CyberBay, including through the establishment of the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing, one of the nation’s first colleges dedicated to the integrated study of these disciplines, and

WHEREAS, the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, 38 Cybersecurity and Computing plays a critical role in educating and preparing the next generation of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence professionals through degree programs, 41 applied research, industry partnerships, internships, and experiential learning aligned with national and state workforce needs, and

WHEREAS, the University of South Florida has articulated a mission to support cybersecurity readiness across Florida, 46 including the long-term objective of extending cybersecurity services, expertise, and workforce support to municipalities throughout this state, and

WHEREAS, CyberBay is further strengthened through strategic collaboration with Cyber Florida, this state’s designated cybersecurity planning and coordination organization, which advances statewide cyber resilience, workforce development, 53 applied research, and public-private partnerships, and

WHEREAS, CyberBay serves as a convening platform for collaboration and innovation, including through the CyberBay Conference, which brings together leaders from the technology, 57 academic, government, and military sectors to address emerging Florida Senate - 2026 (NP) SR 1816 23-02646-26 20261816__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. cyber threats, workforce challenges, and technological advancements, and

WHEREAS, public-private initiatives associated with CyberBay have supported cybersecurity improvements within regional municipalities, including the Cities of Tampa, St. 63 Petersburg, and Clearwater, strengthening cyber readiness at the local level, and

WHEREAS, private individuals have played a catalytic role in establishing and advancing the CyberBay ecosystem, including Lauren and Arnie Bellini, who have contributed and pledged more than $55 million to the University of South Florida to support education, research, workforce development, and the completion of a fully integrated cybersecurity and artificial intelligence ecosystem, and

WHEREAS, such private investment was made with the stated objective of helping create and sustain up to 70,000 high-74 paying, high-technology jobs in the Tampa Bay region by leveraging Florida’s existing strengths in national defense, 76 cybersecurity, and innovation, and

WHEREAS, CyberBay supports Florida’s economic competitiveness by attracting high-value employers, retaining talent within this state, strengthening workforce pipelines, and reinforcing this state’s leadership in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital defense, and

WHEREAS, this state has a compelling interest in protecting its digital infrastructure, securing its economic future, and defending against rapidly evolving cyber threats that affect the government, industry, and citizens alike,

NOW, THEREFORE, 86 87