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Former CISA Director and newly appointed RSAC CEO Jen Easterly to Keynote Tampa Event<\/p>\n
TAMPA, Fla., February 17, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–CyberBay Summit 2026<\/a> returns to Tampa Bay on March 12\u201313 at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, convening leaders from government, industry, academia, and venture capital around one of the country\u2019s most compelling cybersecurity stories.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay is already a cybersecurity powerhouse, where national security priorities, world-class research, emerging tech, and private capital converge. With deep defense and critical infrastructure ties, top-tier research capacity, and a fast-growing innovation community, the region has become a natural home base for cybersecurity leadership.<\/p>\n Hosted by Cyber Florida, the University of South Florida, and Bellini Capital, the Summit spotlights the partnerships and momentum that are putting Tampa Bay at the center of the national cybersecurity movement.<\/p>\n “CyberBay is more than an idea, and Tampa Bay is well beyond \u2018up-and-coming\u2019 as a tech hub. It\u2019s here. It\u2019s happening,” said Arnie Bellini, Managing Partner at Bellini Capital. “We\u2019ve got the talent, the institutions, the mission, and the mindset. This community is building the modern model for cybersecurity leadership, where innovation meets readiness, academia meets industry, and big challenges turn into real solutions. CyberBay is the front door to that ecosystem; when people walk through it, they\u2019re part of the future.”<\/p>\n National Voices, Tampa Bay Momentum<\/p>\n CyberBay Summit 2026 features keynote speakers who bring deep national perspective to the challenges and opportunities shaping cybersecurity today:<\/p>\n Jen Easterly, former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and newly appointed CEO of RSAC, sharing insight on resilience across critical infrastructure, industry, and government.<\/p>\n Rachel Wilson, Chief Data Officer at Morgan Stanley and a 15-year NSA veteran, discussing modern cyber leadership, risk, and data at global scale.<\/p>\n The Summit also includes programming spanning cyber leadership and governance, emerging technologies and AI, workforce development, critical infrastructure protection, and more.<\/p>\n CyberBay Innovation Challenge Spotlights What\u2019s Next<\/p>\n New for 2026, the CyberBay Innovation Challenge will showcase startups tackling real-world cybersecurity needs. Participating companies will pitch to investors and national security leaders, with winners in selected categories sharing $100,000 in total funding.<\/p>\n Working Groups Power Year-Round Collaboration<\/p>\n CyberBay is sustained by active Working Groups that keep collaboration moving throughout the year, including:<\/p>\n Workforce Development Group \u2014 aligning strategies to strengthen Tampa Bay\u2019s cyber talent pipeline<\/p>\n Undergraduate Curriculum Group \u2014 modernizing education to match real-world needs<\/p>\n Solutions Innovation Group \u2014 supporting entrepreneurs developing accessible, high-impact cybersecurity solutions<\/p>\n CyberBay Cup Returns<\/p>\n The CyberBay Cup (Capture the Flag competition) returns to spotlight emerging cybersecurity talent in a live, high-energy skills competition led by SkillBit<\/a>. Additional details will be announced at CyberBay.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Registration Now Open<\/p>\n Register at www.CyberBay.org<\/a><\/p>\n Sponsorships + Media<\/p>\n Sponsors and exhibitors gain access to key stakeholders across national security, defense, industry, academia, and innovation. Learn more at CyberBay.org\/sponsor<\/a>.<\/p>\n View source version on businesswire.com: https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20260217256810\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n Contacts<\/p>\n Media Contact<\/p>\n