ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA / AGILITYPR.NEWS / July 02, 2026 / St. Petersburg College is once again designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA), with recognition extending through the 2031 academic year.

The designation underscores SPC’s continued leadership in cybersecurity education and its role in preparing students to meet the growing national demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals.

“This designation is a testament to the outstanding work of our faculty and the success of our cybersecurity programs in preparing students for one of the nation's most critical and rapidly growing fields,” said Dr. Mark McKinney, Dean of the College of Computer and Information Technology at SPC. “As the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to increase, St. Petersburg College remains committed to developing the talent needed to protect our communities, strengthen our economy and support our nation's security.”

According to the NSA, the National Cyber Strategy highlights the urgent need to address the cybersecurity workforce shortage and emphasizes the critical role of higher education in strengthening national cyber defense capabilities.

Strengthening a Critical Workforce Pipeline

The Tampa Bay region’s defense and security sector spans aviation, cybersecurity, IT, intelligence, advanced manufacturing and training and simulation, according to the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. Regionally, defense-related activity generates an estimated $16.6 billion in economic impact and supports more than 152,000 jobs, while Florida’s military and defense industry contributes $102.6 billion statewide. SPC’s CAE-CD designation recognizes its role in preparing cybersecurity talent for regional employers and national security needs.

SPC first received the CAE-CD designation in 2019 for its Cybersecurity Associate in Science degree and has since expanded its offerings to include a Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity. Commitment to Cybersecurity Excellence The CAE-CD designation is awarded to institutions that demonstrate academic excellence in cybersecurity education and a strong institutional commitment to preparing students for careers in the field.

SPC will be formally recognized at an upcoming National CAE Program designation ceremony, with additional details to be shared with institutional representatives.

For information about SPC’s cybersecurity programs, visit the College’s Center for Cybersecurity webpage.