New Education Center Cybersecurity Programs

In addition to cybersecurity degrees being offered at University Campus and online, now Saint Leo’s Key West Education Center will offer an associate degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in cybersecurity, with classes beginning in the Fall 2 Semester on Monday, October 20. Registration is open for these programs, and those interested may email jeffrey.hite@saintleo.edu or (305) 293-2847.

The Key West Center also is observing its 50th anniversary as the university began educating students in its southernmost location in 1975. Now, the education center is located at Naval Air Station Key West, A-718 Essex Circle, Key West, FL 33040. While Saint Leo’s location on base makes it accessible and convenient for military-affiliated students, the center staff also can sponsor civilians to take classes there, said Jeffrey Hite, center director.

In addition to Key West, Saint Leo’s Tampa Education Center offers several levels of cybersecurity programs including associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees as well as a Master of Business Administration degree with a cybersecurity management specialization. The Tampa Education Center is at 1403 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33607. Those interested in information may email rod.kirkwood@saintleo.edu or call (813) 743-3198. Saint Leo University also will be participating in the upcoming CyberBay Summit 2025, October 13-15, at the Tampa Marriott Water Street.

Growing Demand for Cybersecurity Education Nationwide

The need for cyber and computer science education is strong, and skilled professionals are in demand. Industry research shows the global cybersecurity workforce gap exceeded 4 million jobs in 2023, including more than 500,000 vacancies in the United States. And Florida ranks among the top five states in demand for cybersecurity professionals. Recent data shows there are more than 457,000 current U.S. job openings.
“We want to equip security practitioners with affordable and accessible training,” said Dr. Vyas Krishnan, associate dean of the College of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science, which was established in 2023 to meet the rising demand for high-quality education in the tech sector.
Military personnel, veterans, and first-responders are highly sought after by those hiring cyber experts, as many have experience in high-pressure situations and cybersecurity, as well as having top level security clearance. The university offers specialized support for military personnel and veterans to pursue these degrees.

Saint Leo’s Innovative Approach to Cybersecurity Education

Saint Leo’s cybersecurity programs train students to protect networks, data, and systems from unauthorized access, attacks, and security breaches. Through hands-on labs, simulations, and real-world tools, learn how cybersecurity professionals operate. Students learn about security tools and technologies through a virtual lab environment in which they fully immerse themselves in mock IT infrastructures and use real-world software tools with realistic security scenarios.

The university’s master’s programs dive into those skills more deeply and prepare students for strategic leadership of cybersecurity planning. A Saint Leo master’s in cybersecurity prepares graduates with knowledge, critical analysis, and application skills necessary to assume leadership roles in the fields of information assurance and computer security.

“Cybersecurity threats are a moving target, and new vulnerabilities emerge on a daily basis,” Krishnan said. “As attacks become more frequent and more sophisticated, the need for education increases. In addition, digital systems are expanding, and data protection regulations change often, so staying up to date is crucial.”

Saint Leo is striving to prepare its graduate to protect and prepare for these cyber dangers. “Online and on-ground students can take advantage of state-of-art cybersecurity software and the simulations it offers through secure, remote access,” Krishnan said. “They will learn to critically evaluate and apply research and reports of threats to computers and cyber-systems.”

The university’s efforts in cybersecurity education are highly regarded and Saint Leo is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.