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Overview

Global and National Security Institute 

Today’s national security environment is increasingly complex and covers whole-of-society problems such as extremism, chem/bio threats, climate change, disinformation, transnational crime, and cybercrime. The ÉîÒ¹¿´Æ¬ is a driving force to counter this trend, identifying global and national security as a strategic area of focus, capitalizing on USF’s status as a member of the AAU, as a Preeminent Research University and its momentum as the fastest-rising public university in the United States over the last decade.

The Global and National Security Institute leads this strategic effort at USF, leveraging the existing academic excellence of USF — itself located in a dynamic, growing metropolitan area — to create a hub of strategic dialogue and action unique to the State University System and the nation. GNSI is raising the profile and prominence of USF by building upon the university’s extensive R&D assets and deep relationship with USCENTCOM and USSOCOM at MacDill Air Force Base, as well as existing partnerships with the Florida Institute for Cyber Security and the Institute for Applied Engineering.

GNSI MISSION:  provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national, and global level, operating on the boundary of security policy and technology. 

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Cyberflorida

The Florida Center for Cybersecurity, also known as Cyber Florida, was created by the Florida State Legislature in 2014 to help Florida become a national leader in cybersecurity education, academic and practical research, and community outreach and engagement. While the ÉîÒ¹¿´Æ¬ serves as our host institution, providing administrative and budget support and oversight, Cyber Florida operates on behalf of the State of Florida at large, engaging a large and growing list of public and private partners to achieve our mission.

We work to build a robust pipeline of future professionals by introducing cyber safety and career awareness programs to K–12 schools and helping Florida’s public colleges and universities offer degree and certificate programs that produce ready-to-hire graduates. We create new, more accessible career pathways for women and minorities, veterans and first-responders, and career changers to enter the field to help address our nation’s critical cyber workforce shortage. We support academic research that contributes to our nation’s competitive edge and conduct studies that yield new insights into cybercrime, privacy, user behavior, and organizational needs to help craft local, state, and national policy. Lastly, we engage millions of Floridians through awareness campaigns and host events and resources to help protect those populations and organizations that are most vulnerable to cybercrime, such as small businesses, local governments, and senior citizens.

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Institute of Applied Engineering

The Institute of Applied Engineering (IAE) is unique in design leveraging internal engineering personnel, program management, financial, and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) contract expertise to deliver results across the spectrum of need. If a customer’s need cannot be answered internally, IAE connects with the faculty at the University of South Florida to solve the problem. Further, the IAE can leverage a consortium of 30+ universities and small businesses across the nation to address customers' needs. The IAE broadly serves Department of Defense (DoD) and government markets. Our work is focused on developing innovative solutions within the domains of Autonomy, Internet of Things, Sensing, Space Systems, Human Performance, and Talent Development.

IAE’s main differentiator comes from integrating systems across various areas to provide a wholistic, not singular answer to the customer. Our wide expertise allows us to test and validate the integration within a system of devices/networks and find ways to bolster any limiting factors. While the seven core competencies (Integrated Systems, Software Systems, Intelligent Systems, Rapid Prototyping, Mechanical Design, Space Systems, and Talent Development) reflect the abilities of the internal team, we have strong links with university faculty across well-established and emerging fields such as Transportation, Energy, Nanotechnology, Quantum Communications, and Human Performance.