By Tina Meketa University Communications and Marketing
Performers represent black-hat hackers
The FBI estimates there are 700,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs nationwide – 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’s difficult to visualize.
That’s where showmanship takes over. During the opening of the inaugural CyberBay 2025 conference, performers brought a simulated cyberattack to life through dance and motion. Dressed in LED-lit costumes, actors embodied white-hat and black-hat hackers – good versus evil – as laser beams illustrated the invisible world of digital infrastructure.
More than 1,000 people attended CyberBay, many from outside of Florida, to explore Tampa Bay’s emergence as a national hub for cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and national security.
“CyberBay has provided many exciting opportunities for connections and building bridges,” said Sudeep Sarkar, distinguished university professor and launch dean of the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. “One of the most exciting parts for me is that it provides a way for industry leaders to see the talent here at USF. Not just our faculty talent, but the future workforce talent that we are producing.”
Arnie Bellini
Hosted by Bellini Capital, in partnership with USF and Cyber Florida, 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.
“We are already the United States of America’s cybersecurity center of excellence,” said Bellini Capital founder and CEO Arnie Bellini. “We need to work together in a synergistic way to overcome the challenges that we’re going to see coming into the future.”
Following Bellini’s 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.
“It’s going to be a space worthy of innovation, collaboration and talent. All of that defines this extraordinary college and university,” USF President Rhea Law said. “Make no mistake, this college is going to have an impact on all colleges across the university and across all of our campuses.”
(L-R) Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, Arnie Bellini and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor
USF President Rhea Law
During her remarks, Law announced a $1 million gift to the Bellini College, with a matching gift from philanthropists Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton. Bellini mirrored those gifts as part of the Bellini Challenge, 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 USF faculty to train the cities’ cybersecurity professionals. They also fund CyberHerd, a nationally recognized student cybersecurity competition team, to evaluate the cities’ digital infrastructure.
Planning is underway for the 2026 CyberBay conference, scheduled for March 12-13 in Tampa. Learn more on how to get involved.