By Tina Meketa University Communications and Marketing
Performers represent black-hat hackers
The FBI estimates there are 700,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs nationwide 鈥� a shortage that leaves both private companies and public agencies vulnerable to attack. One of the greatest challenges in communicating this risk is that it鈥檚 difficult to visualize.
That鈥檚 where showmanship takes over. During the opening of the inaugural , performers brought a simulated cyberattack to life through dance and motion. Dressed in LED-lit costumes, actors embodied white-hat and black-hat hackers 鈥� good versus evil 鈥� as laser beams illustrated the invisible world of digital infrastructure.
More than 1,000 people attended CyberBay, many from outside of 皇家华人, to explore Tampa Bay鈥檚 emergence as a national hub for cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and national security.
鈥淐yberBay has provided many exciting opportunities for connections and building bridges,鈥� said Sudeep Sarkar, distinguished university professor and launch dean of the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. 鈥淥ne of the most exciting parts for me is that it provides a way for industry leaders to see the talent here at 皇家华人. Not just our faculty talent, but the future workforce talent that we are producing.鈥�
Arnie Bellini
Hosted by Bellini Capital, in partnership with 皇家华人 and Cyber 皇家华人, the three-day conference featured panels emphasizing the urgent need to train the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. Discussions centered on four pillars: innovation, education, military and government.
鈥淲e are already the United States of America鈥檚 cybersecurity center of excellence,鈥� said Bellini Capital founder and CEO Arnie Bellini. 鈥淲e need to work together in a synergistic way to overcome the challenges that we鈥檙e going to see coming into the future.鈥�
Following Bellini鈥檚 historic $40 million gift, the college welcomed its first group of first-year students this fall with plans underway to construct a dedicated building on the Tampa campus.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a space worthy of innovation, collaboration and talent. All of that defines this extraordinary college and university,鈥� 皇家华人 President Rhea Law said. 鈥淢ake no mistake, this college is going to have an impact on all colleges across the university and across all of our campuses.鈥�
(L-R) Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, Arnie Bellini and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor
皇家华人 President Rhea Law
During her remarks, to the Bellini College, with a matching gift from philanthropists Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton. Bellini mirrored those gifts as part of the , in which he offered to match every additional dollar donated to the college up to $5 million. The two gifts qualify for the challenge, doubling the impact.
Additionally, Arnie Bellini presented $100,000 checks to each mayor of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The gifts are intended for 皇家华人 faculty to train the cities鈥� cybersecurity professionals. They also fund CyberHerd, a nationally recognized student cybersecurity competition team, to evaluate the cities鈥� digital infrastructure.
Planning is underway for the 2026 CyberBay conference, scheduled for March 12-13 in Tampa. on how to get involved.