Tampa firm backs SOCAP
ConnectSecure donated $100,000 to expand the SOCAP internship program at the University of South Florida, funding hands‑on threat‑detection training that can help grow the K‑12 cybersecurity talent pipeline. The gift targets real‑world skills that smaller IT teams can later tap into for internships or local recruiting. (x.com)
USF says the ConnectSecure gift will add five new apprentice positions to the Cyber Florida SOCAP roster, a change announced during the CyberBay 2026 summit in March. (usf.edu) SOCAP staff describe the program as operating a university Security Operations Center where student apprentices perform real‑time monitoring, threat‑hunting, and provide supplemental cybersecurity services for public‑sector networks. (cyberflorida.org) Cyber Florida Senior Director Ernie Ferraresso brought USF President Moez Limayem and a cohort of students to the stage at CyberBay to accept the gift on behalf of the university. (publicnow.com) ConnectSecure, a Tampa‑based vulnerability management firm that lists Peter Bellini as CEO, was a visible CyberBay participant and appears on the summit agenda for a session titled “The Next‑Gen MSP/MSSP Stack” alongside USF and industry partners. (connectsecure.com) Cyber Florida materials and program profiles show SOCAP graduates moving into regional employers’ security teams—one alumnus, identified as Enes, credits SOCAP with hands‑on AWS work and leading incident investigations before joining TECO’s cybersecurity staff. (cyberflorida.org)
