Future-Ready Florida Program
Strengthening Florida’s Economic and Workforce Growth Through AI and Cybersecurity
A UWF Center for Cybersecurity and AI Program
Build Skills. Earn Credentials. Advance Your Career!
The Future-Ready Florida Program (FRF) is offered by the University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity and AI and funded by the State of Florida via the Florida Department of Management Services. The online skills-based training courses prepare Florida residents and state and local government personnel for careers and success in the rapidly evolving fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. Earn UWF digital badges, certificates of completion, and industry certifications—all at NO COST to eligible participants! .png)
Key Program Features
- 100% FREE to eligible participants (Florida residents and state and local government personnel)
- 100% Online and Flexible: Self-paced and instructor-led options tailored for adult learners and working professionals
- Industry Certifications: Instructor-led courses, which include exam vouchers and preparation materials for recognized industry certification exams. Industry certification awarded for passing the exam. Prerequisites apply.
- Practical Skill-Building: Hands-on, applied learning courses focused on real-world AI and cybersecurity skills plus instructor engagement.
- The courses are categorized into two tracks:
- AI Readiness and Innovation: Designed to prepare participants to confidently adopt, manage, and innovate with AI. These courses provide hands-on experience with leading AI tools, practical strategies for AI adoption.
- Cyber Defense and Operations: Designed to build foundational and operational cybersecurity skills for today's workforce. These courses prepare participants to prevent, detect, analyze, and respond to cyber incidents while strengthening organizational resilience and supporting modern cybersecurity operations.
Flexible Learning Formats
To expand access for Florida residents and government personnel, participants will be allowed to register for one course only. During the application process, you will be able to choose your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd priority courses. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. If selected to participate, you will be notified by email and given instructions to officially register for the course.
- On-Demand Learning Courses: Self-paced, asynchronous courses to build foundational knowledge anytime, anywhere.
- Open to FL residents.
- Must submit a copy of your valid Florida Driver’s License or ID
- Courses to select from: AI Ready OR Cyber Ready (see course overviews below).
- 2-Week Technical Courses: Instructor-led, hands-on training focused on applied workplace tools
- Open to FL residents.
- Must submit a copy of your valid Florida Driver’s License or ID
- Courses to select from: Applied AI OR Cyber Defense and Incident Response (see course overviews below).
- 9-Week Industry Certification Exam Prep Courses: Instructor-led preparation for industry exams, including study materials and exam voucher. Industry certification awarded for passing the exam. Prerequisites apply.
- Open to Florida state and local government personnel only. This includes state university, state college, K12, county, and city employees.
- PLEASE NOTE: Participants must be prepared to commit 20 hours (or more) per week over 9 weeks to complete all coursework, required readings, and exam preparation. Must commit to scheduling and taking the certification exam during the last week of the course and reporting the test date and result to the instructor.
- Must submit your government-issued email address on the application form.
- Must submit an employment verification letter or email PDF from your government employer (supervisor or HR Dept.).
- Must submit a resume that clearly documents completion of the prerequisites required for an industry certification prep course.
- Courses to select from: EC-Council Certified AI Program Manager (CAIPM) Prep, CompTIA Security+ Prep OR CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) Prep (see course overviews below).
Important Application Information
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and classes will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. We keep waitlists for courses once they reach capacity. If you see that a course is waitlisted, you may still select it for a chance to get in! Should selected participants withdraw before a course starts, waitlisted applicants will be added to rosters and notified when spots become available.
Self-registration: If selected to participate in a course, you will receive a selection notification email from FutureReadyFL@uwf.edu. Be sure to add this email address to your contacts so that the email does not go to your SPAM or junk folder, or get quarantined. The email notification includes instructions to self-register in our online registration system for the course you have been selected to participate in, as well as other important information and deadlines. You will be notified of your selection to participate as soon as possible so you can register and plan your schedule.
IF NOTIFIED OF YOUR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE IN A COURSE, YOU MUST COMPLETE THE SELF-REGISTRATION PROCESS FOR THE COURSE IN ORDER TO BE ADDED TO THE OFFICIAL ROSTER AND TO ACCESS THE COURSE SHELL AND MATERIALS.
APPLY NOW
- Application form coming soon!
Please direct all inquiries to Pam Davis, Program Coordinator at FutureReadyFL@uwf.edu.
Course Overviews
Format: On-Demand Learning Course (Online; This course is 7 contact hours and can typically be completed in a week or less at your convenience.)
Date: On-demand, starting on March 1, 2027
Description:
Builds the foundational AI knowledge, practical skills, and confidence needed to effectively and responsibly use AI in everyday life and work. Through engaging lessons, interactive activities, and real-world examples, participants will learn how to leverage today's leading AI tools to improve productivity, support decision-making, and prepare for an AI-enabled future. No prior AI or technical experience is required.
Prerequisites: None
Key Topics:
- AI fundamentals & key concepts
- Leading AI tools & prompt engineering
- AI for communication & productivity
- Research & information analysis
- Responsible AI, ethics, privacy, & security
- Evaluating AI-generated content
- Emerging trends & future readiness
Format: On-Demand Learning Course (Online; This course is 7 contact hours and can typically be completed in a week or so at your convenience.)
Date: On-demand, starting on March 1, 2027
Description:
Develops the essential cybersecurity knowledge and practical skills needed to protect yourself, your information, and your organization in today's digital world. Through engaging multimedia lessons, interactive activities, and real-world scenarios, participants will learn cybersecurity best practices, strengthen their cyber awareness, and adopt secure online behaviors that support lifelong digital resilience. No prior cybersecurity or technical experience is required.
Prerequisites: None
Key Topics:
- Cybersecurity fundamentals and cyber hygiene
- Password security and multi-factor authentication
- Phishing, scams, and social engineering
- Online privacy and identity protection
- Safe use of email, mobile devices, and cloud services
- Secure use of AI and emerging technologies
- Building lifelong cyber awareness and resilience
Format: 2-Week Technical Course (Online)
Date: March 15 - 26, 2027
Description:
Builds the foundational AI knowledge, practical skills, and confidence needed to effectively and responsibly use AI in everyday life and work. Participants will apply AI to real-world workplace challenges through instructor-led, interactive learning and hands-on exercises. Participants will explore practical AI applications, use today's leading AI tools to improve productivity and decision-making, and develop strategies for responsible AI adoption across government and industry. No prior AI or technical experience is required
Prerequisites: None
Key Topics:
- AI fundamentals and key concepts
- Prompt engineering and effective AI use
- Leading AI tools and practical applications
- AI productivity and decision-making
- Responsible AI, ethics, privacy, and security
- Evaluating AI-generated content
- Emerging AI trends and future readiness
- Practical exercises using leading AI tools
Format: 2-Week Technical Course (Online)
Date: April 5 - 16, 2027
Description:
Develops practical cybersecurity skills through instructor-led, hands-on learning focused on protecting organizations against today's evolving cyber threats. Participants will explore threat detection, incident response, cyber resilience, and modern defense strategies while learning how AI can enhance cybersecurity operations and decision-making.
Prerequisites: 6 months of hands-on experience in IT/cybersecurity roles.
Key Topics:
- Cyber threat landscape and emerging threats
- Security Operations Center (SOC) fundamentals
- Threat detection and security monitoring
- Threat intelligence and threat hunting
- Incident response planning and execution
- Ransomware response and cyber resilience
- Vulnerability management and risk mitigation
- Digital forensics fundamentals
- AI-enabled cyber defense and security automation
- Best practices for protecting government and organizational systems
Format: 9-Week Industry Certification Exam Prep Course (Online)
Date: February 8 - April 9, 2027
Description:
Prepare for the globally recognized CompTIA Security+ certification through an intensive, exam-focused program designed to apply security knowledge and skill to realistic scenarios. Participants strengthen and apply their existing skills in securing networks, systems, applications, and data while developing the practical knowledge, hands-on ability, and test readiness needed to successfully obtain the Security+ certification.
Time Commitment: Applicants must be prepared to make Security+ a priority for the full nine-week program. Participants should expect to commit approximately 15–20 hours per week, including scheduled instruction, hands-on labs, assigned reading and study, practice exams, and independent review. Additional study time may be necessary depending on the participant’s existing technical knowledge and experience.
Prerequisites: 6 months of hands-on experience in IT systems/networking/repair roles. Completion of a technical diploma or college degree in IT, cybersecurity, computer science or closely related field within the past 2 years.
Key Topics:
- General security concepts: controls, fundamentals, change management, cryptographic solutions
- Threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations: threat actors, vectors, attack surfaces, mitigation techniques
- Security architecture: models, enterprise infrastructure, data protection, resilience and recovery
- Security operations: computing resources, asset/vulnerability, identity/access management, incident response, automation/orchestration, data sources
- Security program management and oversight: governance, risk management, third-party risk, compliance, audits, assessments, and awareness
Format: 9-Week Industry Certification Exam Prep Course (Online)
Date: February 1 - April 2, 2027
Description:
Develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to identify, analyze, and respond to today's evolving cyber threats while preparing for the CompTIA CySA+ certification. Participants will strengthen their abilities to detect, analyze, and respond to threats in security operations and vulnerability management roles. Focus your skills in incident detection, response, and continuous monitoring in modern environments, while managing vulnerabilities and effectively communicating critical risks.
Time Commitment: Applicants must be prepared to make CySA+ a priority for the full nine-week program. Participants should expect to commit approximately 15–20 hours per week, including scheduled instruction, hands-on labs, assigned reading and study, practice exams, and independent review. Additional study time may be necessary depending on the participant’s existing technical knowledge and experience.
Prerequisites: Network+, Security+, or equivalent knowledge, with a minimum of 4 years of hands-on experience as an incident response analyst, security operations center (SOC) analyst, or equivalent experience OR at least 4 years of IT or Cybersecurity experience, OR BS degree or higher in CS, IT, IS, AI, or related technology field.
Key Topics:
- Security Operations Center (SOC) fundamentals
- Threat detection and security monitoring
- Threat intelligence and threat hunting
- Vulnerability assessment and management
- Incident response and recovery
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
- Risk mitigation and security controls
- Compliance and security reporting
- AI-enabled cyber defense concepts
- CompTIA CySA+ certification exam preparation
Format: 9-Week Industry Certification Exam Prep Course (Online)
Date: February 1 - April 2, 2027
Description:
Master the skills to design, deploy, and govern enterprise AI with the EC-Council Certified AI Program Manager (CAIPM) certification. This course delivers hands-on expertise in AI strategy, risk management, and responsible implementation, preparing professionals to drive successful AI adoption across both government and commercial sectors.
Time Commitment: Applicants must be prepared to make CAIPM a priority for the full nine-week program. Participants should expect to commit approximately 15–20 hours per week, including scheduled instruction, hands-on labs, assigned reading and study, practice exams, and independent review. Additional study time may be necessary depending on the participant’s existing technical knowledge and experience.
Prerequisites:
At least one of the following industry certifications:
- CompTIA Sec+, CompTIA CySA+, CompTIA Project+, CompTIA Data+, ISACA AI Fundamentals, CompTIA Cloud+, PMP, Azure AI Fundamentals, AWS Certified AI Practitioner, Google AI Professional
OR:
- BS degree or higher in CS, IT, IS, AI, Data Science, or related technology field
OR:
- at least 5 years of IT or Cybersecurity experience
- at least 5 years of Project/Program Management experience
- at least 5 years experience in Governance, Risk or Compliance Management
Key Topics:
- Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
- AI strategy and organizational adoption
- AI program and project management
- AI governance and risk management
- Responsible and ethical AI
- AI security, privacy, and compliance
- AI procurement and vendor evaluation
- AI change management and workforce readiness
- AI performance measurement and continuous improvement
- EC-Council CAIPM certification exam preparation
This program is funded by the Florida Legislature via the Florida Department of Management Services.
