Event will connect students with industry leaders to tackle real-world cyber threats<\/p>\n
Miami, Fla. (April 7, 2026) \u2014 As cybersecurity threats continue to rise and demand for skilled professionals reaches record levels, Miami Dade College (MDC) has partnered with Fortinet, Inc to host a Cybersecurity Hackathon \u00a0on Friday, April 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., bringing together students, industry partners and South Florida\u2019s tech community to engage in real-world cybersecurity challenges and develop innovative solutions to today\u2019s most pressing digital security issues.<\/p>\n
The event will be held at MDC\u2019s North Campus and is free and open to all students, but pre-registration is required. Working media is welcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cActivities such as this one are a great way to expose individuals\u00a0to the reality that cybersecurity is not a product but a process.\u00a0 At present, cybercrime is the greatest threat to any organization in the world,\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0Mauricio Ardila, Major Account Manager at Fortinet.<\/p>\n
According to industry reports, the global cybersecurity workforce gap exceeds 3.5 million unfilled positions, underscoring the urgent need for hands-on training and talent development. MDC\u2019s hackathon aims to help bridge that gap by providing students with immersive, experiential learning opportunities that mirror the fast-paced environments of today\u2019s cybersecurity field.<\/p>\n
During the event, students will collaborate in teams, guided by industry mentors, to address simulated cybersecurity scenarios \u2014 from threat detection to risk mitigation \u2014 while competing for prizes and recognition. The hackathon will also feature a panel discussion with Clifford Payne<\/a>, vice president of engineering at Tesys Networks, and Mario Diez<\/a>, chief information officer for the city of Sweetwater.<\/p>\n \u201cThis event is about more than competition \u2014 it\u2019s about preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals,\u201d said Manuel Perez, dean of MDC\u2019s School of Engineering Technology and Design (EnTec). \u201cBy working alongside industry experts and tackling real-world challenges, our students gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed in one of today\u2019s most critical and fastest-growing fields.\u201d<\/p>\n Event highlights include:<\/p>\n A student-focused cybersecurity hackathon featuring hands-on, real-world challenges The Cybersecurity Hackathon is part of MDC\u2019s broader commitment to expanding experiential learning and strengthening the pipeline of tech talent in South Florida. As Miami continues to position itself as an emerging technology hub, initiatives like this play a key role in aligning education with workforce needs. Visit https:\/\/www.mdc.edu\/entec\/<\/a> for more information about all programs from the School of Engineering Technology and Design.<\/p>\n Participants must bring their own laptops; no special software or tools are required. To learn more and to register, visit: https:\/\/luma.com\/piiv5rhi<\/a><\/p>\n For more information, please contact Jorge Ortega, jortega2@mdc.edu.<\/p>\n WHAT: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Miami Dade College Cybersecurity Hackathon<\/p>\n
\nCollaboration with industry partners and experienced mentors
\nOpportunities for students to showcase their skills and compete for prizes
\nDirect engagement with Miami\u2019s rapidly growing tech ecosystem
\nPanel discussion with industry experts<\/p>\n