Palm Beach State College Secures $1 Million in Federal Funds to Launch AI Cybersecurity Center
Palm Beach County’s technology workforce pipeline is getting a major boost.
Palm Beach State College (PBSC) has been awarded more than $1 million in federal Community Project Funding to establish a new AI Cybersecurity Center, a forward-looking initiative designed to prepare students and professionals for careers in one of today’s fastest-growing technology sectors.
The funding was secured through the leadership of Lois Frankel and will support the creation of advanced cybersecurity training environments, modern equipment, and industry-aligned learning tools.
“This center is more than a building or a lab—it’s a promise to our students, to our community, and to our future workforce,” said Ava L. Parker, President of PBSC. “It will serve as a hub for innovation, hands-on learning and collaboration with industry leaders as we prepare students to take on the rapidly changing world of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.”
A First-of-Its-Kind Cyber Range for Palm Beach County
At the heart of the new initiative at Palm Beach State College is a virtual cyber range, which will be the first of its kind in Palm Beach County.
Cyber ranges allow users to simulate real-world cyberattacks and defense scenarios in a controlled environment, helping participants build critical skills such as:
Threat detection
Incident response
Network defense
Risk management
Cybersecurity strategy and recovery
Unlike many academic resources that remain limited to campus use, PBSC’s cyber range will be accessible not only to students but also to law enforcement agencies, educators, cybersecurity professionals, and regional workforce partners. This broad accessibility positions the center as a regional cybersecurity resource, not just an academic facility.
Beyond the cyber range, the funding will support the development of a fully equipped cybersecurity lab and the installation of advanced infrastructure designed to mirror real-world enterprise environments. New resources will include:
Network security hardware such as firewalls, routers, and switches
High-performance computer workstations designed for AI and machine learning applications
AI development platforms
Data analytics tools
Cloud-based cybersecurity learning environments
Together, these technologies will provide students with direct experience using the same tools and systems found across today’s cybersecurity and IT sectors, strengthening both technical readiness and workforce confidence. According to Lois Frankel, the investment is designed to strengthen local talent pipelines and support regional workforce needs.
“Palm Beach State College is getting the hundreds of students that I know are already involved in this kind of coursework ready for the high demand, high wage careers, and it's going to help our local community get the talent that we need right here in Palm Beach County,” Frankel said.
Preparing Students for High-Demand Careers
PBSC already offers Applied Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity programs designed to prepare students for immediate entry into technology careers. The new AI Cybersecurity Center will significantly enhance those offerings.
Students enrolled in PBSC programs receive:
Hands-on technical instruction
Industry-aligned coursework
Training tied to employer demand
Preparation for nationally recognized certifications
Graduates are prepared to pursue industry-valued credentials such as:
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst)
Cisco CCNA (Networking/Security Track)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Artificial intelligence and data analytics certifications
These credentials provide graduates with strong entry points into both public and private sector roles.
Across Florida and the Southeast region, entry-level cybersecurity and AI-related positions typically offer starting salaries ranging from approximately $60,000 to $100,000 annually, with significant earning potential as professionals gain experience and advanced certifications.
For students already working toward careers in cybersecurity, the new center represents more than just new equipment, it represents opportunity. PBSC cybersecurity student and Information Security intern Laura Paredes expressed enthusiasm about the center’s future impact.
“This is really going to help us, set us apart from other students and other schools and give us the hands-on learning that employers are looking for, so this is amazing,” Paredes said.
Her perspective reflects a broader industry shift: employers increasingly prioritize hands-on experience and real-world simulation training when hiring cybersecurity professionals.
A Strategic Investment in Regional Workforce Development
The launch of PBSC’s AI Cybersecurity Center signals more than an academic expansion. It represents a strategic investment in the long-term competitiveness of Palm Beach County.
Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence continue to rank among the fastest-growing career fields nationwide, with demand consistently outpacing available talent. By investing in advanced training infrastructure, local leaders are working to ensure that talent pipelines remain strong and accessible.
The center also creates new opportunities for collaboration between:
Educational institutions
Government agencies
Private-sector employers
Public safety organizations
Technology leaders
This type of cross-sector collaboration is increasingly recognized as essential to building resilient digital infrastructure and securing modern economies.
Strengthening Palm Beach County’s Innovation Ecosystem
The establishment of the AI Cybersecurity Center represents another step in Palm Beach County’s evolving innovation landscape.
As industries across finance, healthcare, government, and infrastructure continue to digitize, cybersecurity readiness is no longer optional - it is foundational. Investments like this ensure that local communities are not just consumers of technology, but creators and protectors of it.
With the addition of this new center, PBSC is helping position Palm Beach County as a growing hub for cybersecurity talent, AI development, and technology workforce training and one capable of supporting both local employers and the broader regional economy.
