BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A West Boca Raton high school team placed first in a statewide cybersecurity competition, highlighting the region’s growing role in Florida’s effort to build a workforce prepared for digital threats.
Cyber Florida’s CyberLaunch 2026 brought together students, educators, and industry partners from across the state for a hands-on competition focused on real-world cyber defense scenarios. The event is part of a broader initiative to strengthen Florida’s cybersecurity pipeline, connecting high school programs to higher education and industry careers.
Students competed in simulated environments designed to mirror active cyber incidents. The competition was powered by Cyber Florida’s Advanced Research and Cybersecurity Solutions (ARCS) team in partnership with SimSpace, a platform used to replicate enterprise-level cyber challenges. Teams were required to identify threats, defend systems, and respond to evolving attacks under time pressure.
West Boca Raton Community High School, representing Palm Beach County, took first place in the Intermediate division. The finish placed the school ahead of teams from across Florida, including Middleton High School in Hillsborough County and Wendell Krinn Technical High School in Pasco County.
The result underscores the continued expansion of cybersecurity education in Palm Beach County schools, particularly in West Boca, where specialized programs have gained traction in recent years.
The event opened with remarks from Kevin O’Farrell, Senior Chancellor at the Florida Department of Education, who outlined the state’s focus on workforce readiness in cybersecurity. The emphasis reflects increasing demand for trained professionals across government agencies, private industry, and critical infrastructure sectors.
Beyond the competition floor, the event included programming aimed at educators. A dedicated “Cyber Café” provided professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and campus tours showcasing academic pathways tied to cybersecurity and related fields. Organizers framed the sessions as a way to ensure classroom instruction keeps pace with industry expectations.
A separate announcement during the event introduced the Cyber/AI Scholars Program, presented by Dr. Sudeep Sarkar of Bellini College. The program is intended to expand opportunities for students pursuing careers at the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, a field expected to grow as automated systems become more integrated into security operations.
The event also included a Signing Day ceremony recognizing graduating seniors as they commit to colleges and universities, reinforcing the pipeline from high school programs into postsecondary education.
Cyber Florida recognized several educators for their contributions to cybersecurity instruction across the state. Among them, John Kux of West Boca Raton Community High School received the Trailblazer Award, highlighting local leadership in expanding access to cybersecurity education.
Other awards included the Veteran Cybersecurity Teacher Award, presented to Scott Tumelty of Wendell Krinn Technical High School, and the New Cybersecurity Teacher Award, presented to Michael Marchesano of Angeline Academy of Innovation.
The day concluded with a keynote from Caitlin Sarian, known publicly as “Cybersecurity Girl,” who addressed students on career pathways in the field and encouraged continued engagement with cybersecurity training programs.
CyberLaunch 2026 was supported by ThreatLocker as the lead sponsor. Company representatives participated in the closing ceremony, presenting awards and prizes to winning teams.
In the Advanced division, Hernando High School placed first, followed by Countryside High School and Hialeah Gardens High School. In the Beginner division, Kirkland Ranch Academy secured both first and second place finishes, with iPrep Academy North placing third.
Organizers and educators pointed to strong student engagement throughout the event. Feedback from participating schools emphasized the value of hands-on competition and access to industry-aligned tools and environments.
For Palm Beach County, the West Boca finish reflects continued investment in technical education programs tied to workforce needs. As cybersecurity threats increase in scale and complexity, programs like CyberLaunch are designed to prepare students for roles in both public and private sectors.
The next phase for many participants will move beyond competition into formal training pathways, including college programs, certifications, and entry-level positions in cybersecurity fields.
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