PBSC awarded $1 million to launch cutting-edge AI Cybersecurity Center

Palm Beach State College has been awarded more than $1 million in federal Community Project Funding to establish the new AI Cybersecurity Center.

The funding, secured by U.S. Congresswoman Lois Frankel, will support the purchase of modern instructional equipment and software to ensure students receive hands-on, real-world training.

“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 PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D. “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.”

The money will fund a cybersecurity lab and virtual cyber range for threat detection and incident response. The virtual cyber range will be the first of its kind in Palm Beach County and will be open not only to PBSC students, but also to law enforcement, educators and cybersecurity professionals in the region. The funding will also cover network security hardware, including firewalls, routers and switches, as well as high-performance computer workstations for AI and machine learning applications, plus AI development platforms, data analytics tools and cloud-based learning environments.

“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 getting the talent that we need right here in Palm Beach County,” Frankel said.

PBSC offers Applied Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity programs designed to prepare students for immediate entry into technology careers. Through hands-on instruction, industry-aligned curriculum and preparation for nationally recognized credentials, graduates gain the technical and professional skills required by today’s workforce.

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of entry-level and mid-level positions across public and private sector employers. In Florida and the Southeast region, entry-level cybersecurity and AI-related roles typically offer starting salaries ranging from approximately $60,000 to $100,000 annually, with strong potential for growth as students gain experience and advanced certifications.

Students completing PBSC’s training programs are prepared to pursue or earn industry-valued certifications that enhance employability and career advancement, including CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst), Cisco CCNA (Networking/Security Track), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and artificial intelligence and data analytics certifications aligned with applied AI tools and platforms.

PBSC cybersecurity student and Information Security intern Laura Paredes is excited to see how the AI Cybersecurity Center is going to prepare students for the workforce.

“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.

Visit the AI and Cybersecurity webpages to learn more about these programs.